Physical Therapy vs Surgical Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Last updated: June 17, 2025
Sponsor: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Spinal Stenosis

Spondylolisthesis

Treatment

surgery

Physiotherapy

Clinical Study ID

NCT04552145
2019/283
  • Ages 50-80
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This is a randomized controlled multicenter trail comparing physical therapy to surgical decompression in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The 0-hypothesis is that there is no difference in the efficacy of structured physical therapy compared to surgical decompression.

Our aim is to evaluate if physical therapy can serve as a nonsurgical alternative for patients with LSS, where the severity of symptoms indicates the need of surgical decompression.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients describing intermittent neurogenic claudication when walking and symptomsrevealed by flexion of the spine.

  • MRI shows lumbar spinal stenosis in one or two levels measured.

  • The duration of the symptoms is longer than six months

  • The patient is a candidate for surgical treatment

  • The patient is capable of physical exercise

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Vascular intermittent claudication

  • Lumbar spinal stenosis in more than two levels

  • Previous low back surgery

  • Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation

  • Degenerative scoliosis with Cobbs angle 30 degrees or more

  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis grade 2 or more

  • Spondylolysis with spondylolisthesis

  • Recent osteoporotic fractures in the spine (last 6 month)

  • Severe symptomatic arthrosis in hip or knee

  • Locally advanced or metastatic cancer

  • ASA >3

  • Polyneuropathy recognized by neurography

  • Insufficient Norwegian language skills

Study Design

Total Participants: 232
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: surgery
Phase:
Study Start date:
September 01, 2020
Estimated Completion Date:
August 31, 2027

Connect with a study center

  • Innlandet Hospital Trust

    Lillehammer,
    Norway

    Active - Recruiting

  • Martina Hansen's Hospital

    Oslo,
    Norway

    Active - Recruiting

  • St Olavs Hospital

    Trondheim,
    Norway

    Active - Recruiting

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