Back surgery showdown: which procedure is better for spinal stenosis?
NCT ID NCT02348645
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested whether a larger trial is possible comparing two standard surgeries for lumbar spinal stenosis with a related condition called spondylolisthesis. The two procedures are decompression alone and decompression with fusion. The study enrolled 70 surgical candidates and focused on feasibility, such as recruitment rates and patient adherence, rather than final treatment outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this pilot could pave the way for a larger trial that helps surgeons decide which surgery is better for this common back condition.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study with only 70 participants, focused on feasibility, not on proving which treatment works best. Results may not apply to all patients.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Foothills Medical Centre
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2N9, Canada
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London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital
London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada
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Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
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Montreal General Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada
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Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9, Canada
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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
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University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
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Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9, Canada