Smaller cut, faster recovery? new back surgery trial aims to find out

This study is comparing two different surgical techniques for treating painful narrowing of the lower spine (lumbar spinal stenosis). Researchers want to see if a newer, less invasive surgery with a smaller incision leads to less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to the traditional open surgery, while providing the same or better pain relief and improved function. About 224 adults with persistent back and leg pain will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two surgeries and followed for two years.