Skip to main content

Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria for participating in the surgical trial concerning posterior decompression techniques for lumbar spinal stenosis

From: Study-protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing clinical and radiological results after three different posterior decompression techniques for lumbar spinal stenosis: the Spinal Stenosis Trial (SST) (part of the NORDSTEN Study)

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