1. 19,628 operations in NSW for LSS between 2003 and 2013
- A Randomised Placebo-Controlled
Surgical Trial of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Background
Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
It is the narrowing of the spinal canal because of degenerative changes of bone or ligaments
What are the symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Pain, numbness or fatigue in the legs when walking that decreases with sitting down or bending forward
19,628 operations in NSW for LSS between 2003 and 2013
Traditional surgery involves removing the bone and ligaments that are compressing the nerves in the spinal canal
SUcceSS Trial- World’s First Randomised Placebo-Controlled Surgical Trial of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
What’s Involved In The Trial?
Surgeon and Study Team Confirms Patient Is Eligible
STEP
Spinal Surgeon Completes Assessment 1
-Leg pain
-50+ years old
-Not improved
with Physio
STEP 2
Patient Has Surgery
Group 1
receives traditional decompression surgery
50/50 chance of being in Group 1 or Group 2
Group 2
receives placebo surgery-which is traditional surgery, except with no decompression (bone removal)
We Follow Patients in Both Groups for 2 Years and Compare Outcomes
STEP 3
Main comparison between groups will be at 3 months
Walking ability
Function and disability
Quality of life
Any adverse events
Costs
Why is the trial important?
Provide the first high-quality evidence for the benefit of removing the bone in improving outcomes
We now know a better way to treat lumbar spinal stenosis!!!
Improved understanding of how to manage lumbar spinal stenosis
REFERENCES
Images sourced from:
Machado G, et al. Trends, complications, and costs for hospital admission and surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. Spine;42(22):
Katz JN, Harris MB. Clinical practice. Lumbar spinal stenosis. N Engl J Med 2008;358:818–25.