Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Randomized Clinical Trial of Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
Brief Summary: Lumbar spinal stenosis (a narrowing of spaces in the backbone that results in pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots) is a condition that occurs frequently, particularly in the elderly. This condition can lead to significant pain and limit a person's ability to function. Moreover, doctors disagree about the best way to treat people with lumbar spinal stenosis.

In this study we will compare surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with nonsurgical treatment using physical therapy. The results of this study should help clarify which treatment strategies are the most effective for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis and single level grade I spondylolisthesis (3-14 mm)

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of previous lumbar spinal surgery in region of stenosis
* Gross spinal instability (defined as greater than 3 mm motion on flexion/extension studies)
* Serious medical illness (ASA Class III or higher)
* Spondylolisthesis greater than 14 mm or associated with spondylolysis
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Imaging evidence of stenosis
* Unable to walk more than 1/4 of a mile
* No prior surgery for stenosis
* Consents to surgery
* Speaks English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of dementia or organic brain syndrome
* Coronary artery disease, recent myocardial infarction, pulmonary or vascular disease
* Spondylolisthesis (\> 5 mm slippage)
* Severe osteoporosis
* Metastatic cancer
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Duration of Symptoms: 12 or more weeks.
* Treatments tried: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medical therapy and physical therapy.
* Surgical Screening: Pain in low back, buttocks, or lower extremity that becomes worse with lumbar extension. Must be confirmed by evidence of central or central-lateral compression of the cauda equina by a degenerative lesion of the facet joint, disc, or ligamentum flavum on MRI, computed tomography scans, or myelograms.
* Tests: MRI to confirm diagnosis and level(s).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous lumbar spine surgery.
* Not a surgical candidate for any of these reasons: Overall health that makes spinal surgery too life-threatening to be an appropriate alternative, patient has improved dramatically with conservative care, or the patient is unable (for any reason) to undergo surgery within 6 months.
* Possible pregnancy.
* Active malignancy: Patients with a history of any invasive malignancy (except nonmelanoma skin cancer) are ineligible unless they have been treated with curative intent AND have not had any clinical signs or symptoms of the malignancy for at least 5 years.
* Current fracture, infection, and/or deformity (greater than 15 degrees of lumbar scoliosis, using Cobb measure technique) of the spine.
* Age less than 18 years.
* Cauda equina syndrome or progressive neurologic deficit (usually requiring urgent surgery).
* Unavailability for followup (planning to move, no telephone, etc.) or inability to complete data surveys.
* Symptoms less than 12 weeks.
* Patient currently enrolled in any experimental "spine related" study.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Pseudoclaudication in one or both legs and backpain (VAS\>30)
* MRI with 1-2 adjacent stenotic segments (area \<0.75 mm2)between L2 and sacrum
* Duration of symptoms \>6 months
* Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Spondylolysis
* Degenerative lumbar scoliosis (Cobb angle \>20 deg)
* History of lumbar spinal surgery for spinal stenosis or instability
* Stenosis not caused by degenerative changes
* Stenosis caused by herniated disc
* Other specific spinal conditions, Mb Bechterew, malignancy, neurologic disorders
* History of vertebral compression fractures in affected segments
* Psychological disorders where the surgeon considers participation inappropriate(dementia, drug abuse)

Answer: B