Prognostic indicators for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a highly prevalent condition and the most frequent indication for spine surgery in elderly patients. Little is known about its prevalence in the general population. Furthermore, the benefit of the surgery varies widely and one third of patients report no clinically relevant improvement. Other treatment options include pain medications, physiotherapy and epidural steroid injections. Therefore, it is difficult for physicians and their patient to choose the best treatment option and the right time when to undergo surgery and what type of surgery to choose. The identification of prognostic indicators may help clinicians in the choice of individualized treatments. With our research activities we expect to have made a sustained contribution to the arising recognition of the importance of prognostic indicators in LSS