Lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis

Lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis are common spinal conditions resulting in pain and functional disability. The prevalence of these conditions will increase as the population ages. Multiple nonsurgical treatment options have been reported including physical therapy, medications, and injections but with only limited data and marginal effect. Large, multicenter studies have compared surgical to nonsurgical treatment and have consistently demonstrated greater success in the surgical treatment of both lumbar spinal stenosis and of degenerative spondylolisthesis. This positive treatment effect has been seen at both short-term and long-term follow-up with good durability over time. This suggests that surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis significantly improves the patient's pain and functional status.