Inclusion criteria: |
Clinical symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis: neurogenic claudication or bilateral radiating pain |
Not responding to at least 3 months of non-surgical treatment |
Radiological findings corresponding to the clinical symptoms: central stenosis, or lateral recess-stenosis. |
Able to give informed consent and to answer the questionnaires. |
Age > 18 years |
Able to understand the Norwegian language, spoken and in writing |
Exclusion criteria: |
Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, with a slip ≥ 3 mm verified on standing plain x-rays in lateral view. |
Not willing to participate in the trial. |
Former surgery in the level of stenosis |
Fracture, or former fusion in the thoracolumbar region. |
Cauda equina syndrom (bowel or bladder dysfunction) or fixed complete motor deficit |
ASA- classified 4 or 5. |
Age > 80 years |
Lumbosacral scoliosis >20°verified on AP-view |
Distinct symptoms in one or both of their legs due to other diseases, e.g. polynevropathy, vascular claudication or osteoarthtritis. |
Stenosis in > 3e levels |
Not able to comply fully with the protocol, including treatment, follow-up or study procedures (psychosocially, mentally and physical). |
Participating in another clinical trial that may interfere with the present trial |