Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Seniors: Safe, Stentless Relief Without Bone Fusion

As the spine degenerates over time, facet joints hypertrophy and ligamentum flavum thickens, gradually narrowing the central spinal canal. Patients experience aching heaviness and numbness in both legs that worsens when standing or walking, but improves when sitting down or leaning forward (the "shopping cart sign").

Traditionally, severe stenosis was treated with extensive laminectomy and pedicle screw fusion. For elderly patients with diabetes, hypertension, or osteoporosis, major fusion surgery carries heightened risks of prolonged anesthesia, infection, and blood loss.

Unilateral Biportal / Full-Endoscopic Decompression (ULBD) allows the surgeon to decompress both the left and right sides of the spinal canal through a single 7mm entry corridor. Because facet joints and spinal ligaments remain structurally intact, no metal screws or fusion cages are required.