Segmental Decompression Versus Wide Decompression With Fixation for Degenerative Lumbar Canal Stenosis

Segmental Decompression Versus Wide Decompression With Fixation in Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Canal Stenosis

The purpose of this study is to compare two different surgical techniques for treating degenerative lumbar canal stenosis, a condition where the lower spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the spinal nerves. For patients who continue to experience significant back and leg pain after at least three months of non-surgical treatments, surgery is often recommended to relieve the pressure.

Currently, there is an ongoing debate among spine surgeons regarding the most effective surgical approach. This study will evaluate and compare the outcomes of two established methods:

1. Segmental Decompression Alone: A procedure focused purely on removing the bone and tissue that is pressing on the spinal nerves.
2. Wide Decompression with Fixation: A more extensive removal of compressive structures, combined with adding spinal hardware (pedicle screws and rods) to stabilize the spine.

Researchers will observe 56 patients over an 18-month period. The primary goal is to determine if one technique offers better functional recovery and pain relief than the other. Researchers will measure success by tracking changes in patients' daily physical function (using the Oswestry Disability Index), reductions in lower back and leg pain, improvements in walking distance, and the time it takes to perform the surgery.

Eligible participants are adult males and females over the age of 40 with symptomatic multilevel stenosis, provided their dynamic x-rays do not show existing spinal instability.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Segmental Decompression; Procedure: Wide Decompression with Fixation

Detailed Description

Lumbar spinal canal stenosis secondary to degenerative disease is a common condition associated with the aging process that may ultimately lead to the compression of neural elements within the lumbar canal. The degenerative process is often a response to hypermobility and can contribute to spinal instability. While conservative treatment is generally regarded as the first-line approach, surgical decompression is indicated for symptom alleviation in patients whose symptoms persist despite adequate nonoperative management. The primary objective of surgery for lumbar stenosis is the relief of neurogenic claudication, followed by an improvement in walking capacity and a reduction of leg pain.

Over the past two decades, spinal surgeons have become increasingly familiar with instrumentation techniques, leading to a marked rise in the use of pedicle screws and rods for the treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis. However, attention has recently shifted toward reassessing the routine use of these fusion procedures. A sustained debate continues among experts regarding the optimal surgical management, aiming to better define the indications for fusion and avoid its unnecessary application. This study aims to provide emerging evidence to help establish clearer conclusions by evaluating whether segmental decompression alone or wide decompression with fixation offers superior clinical and radiological advantages for selected patient groups.

The trial will be conducted across the Neurosurgery departments of Assiut University Hospitals and Misr University Teaching Hospital. Patient data will be collected using standardized, coded case report forms to ensure confidentiality.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 56
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age greater than 40 years
• Both males and females
• Multilevel lumbar canal stenosis with failed routine conservative treatment at least 3 months
• X-ray dynamic views of the lumbar spine showing no evidence of instability

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 40 years
• Recurrent cases and screw revision cases
• Degenerative scoliosis

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Segmental Decompression Alone; Participants in this arm will undergo surgical segmental decompression without spinal fixation for the treatment of symptomatic multilevel degenerative lumbar canal stenosis.	Procedure: Segmental Decompression; A surgical technique involving the targeted removal of compressive structures in the lumbar spine to relieve neurogenic claudication and leg pain, performed without the addition of spinal instrumentation or fusion.
Active Comparator: Wide Decompression with Fixation; Participants in this arm will undergo wide surgical decompression combined with spinal fixation utilizing pedicle screws and rods for the treatment of symptomatic multilevel degenerative lumbar canal stenosis.	Procedure: Wide Decompression with Fixation; A surgical technique that combines extensive decompression of the lumbar canal with spinal instrumentation. This involves the application of pedicle screws and rods across varying segment lengths to provide stabilization to the affected spine.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Functional Recovery as Assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)	Functional disability will be quantified using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire. The ODI is a validated index scored from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates maximum possible disability. A decrease in the score from baseline indicates functional improvement and a better surgical outcome.	Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperative

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Assiut University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 14, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 14, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 21, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 14, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Sciatica; Low Back Pain; Degenerative Spine Disease; Neurogenic Claudication; Lumbar Canal Stenosis; Segmental Decompression; Wide Decompression
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuralgia; Back Pain; Mononeuropathies; Sciatic Neuropathy; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Low Back Pain; Sciatica
• Other Study ID Numbers: Lumbar: Seg. vs Wide Decomp

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No