Policlínica Gipuzkoa has performed the first intervention in the province using a minimally invasive technique to treat intermittent claudication caused by lumbar foraminal stenosis. This outpatient procedure, which is performed with local anesthesia and minimal sedation, offers an effective and safe alternative for patients who suffer from disabling pain when walking and are not candidates for conventional surgery.
Intermittent claudication is a condition that limits the patient’s mobility, forcing them to stop after walking short distances, between 100 and 300 meters, due to intense pain. Dr. Juan Martínez, an anesthesiologist at the Polyclinic, explains that the most common cause of this condition is the narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal, which affects the nerve roots.
The technique applied is based on remodeling the neuroforamen, the passageway through which the nerve roots emerge, through percutaneous plasty guided by fluoroscopy. “The novelty of this approach is that it does not require extensive invasive intervention,” notes Dr. Martinez. The intervention is performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia, minimizing risks, especially for patients with comorbidities. Additionally, the device used not only remodels the space, but also stimulates the nerve root, ensuring a safer procedure.
Although this technique does not replace conventional surgeries, it is indicated for selected patients who present a high surgical risk or those with a history of interventions that have led to complications such as adhesions or inflammations. “Each case must be evaluated individually,” clarifies the specialist.
The first patient to undergo this intervention has reported a significant improvement in his quality of life. “Before, he could only walk for 10 to 15 minutes; now he can walk for half an hour and has experienced an 80% reduction in pain. The results are promising and long-term follow-up is planned. We are not aiming for him to walk for two hours, but to improve his quality of life,” concludes Dr. Martinez.
This innovative approach in the treatment of intermittent claudication represents a significant evolution, adding to the previously available options that required major surgeries, general anesthesia, and a prolonged recovery period. With this technical revolution, Policlínica Gipuzkoa stands at the forefront in the treatment of lumbar pain, offering less invasive and safer solutions for patients in complex situations.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
