Recruiting

Spine Surgery vs. Rehabilitation for Chronic Low Back Pain

Plain-English translation of NCT06169488 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated August 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether lumbar interbody fusion—a surgical procedure that fuses vertebrae in the lower spine—works better than a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for treating chronic low back pain. You would be randomly assigned to receive either the surgery or the rehabilitation program, and researchers will track your pain, function, and quality of life over time to see which approach helps you more.

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and many people with chronic back pain don't get better with standard treatments like exercise and physical therapy. This trial aims to determine whether spine surgery should be recommended more widely, or whether intensive rehabilitation is just as effective and safer.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 20 and 65 years old
you have had low back pain for at least one year that hasn't improved with exercise, physical therapy, and self-management
your back pain is greater than any leg pain you experience
you have disc degeneration in one or two levels of your lower spine with specific findings on MRI, such as a high-intensity zone, bone marrow changes, or significant disc height loss
your back-related disability score falls in the moderate range (not too mild, not too severe)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have disc problems in more than two spine levels
you have had previous spine surgery or a history of spinal infection
you are an active smoker
you have severe nerve compression in your spine
you are taking high-dose opioid pain medications (morphine equivalent 60 mg or more daily)

What participation looks like

If you enroll, you will be randomly assigned to either have lumbar interbody fusion surgery (performed by experienced surgeons at the trial center) or to participate in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. You will have multiple clinic visits and imaging scans before treatment, and follow-up visits at regular intervals after treatment to assess your pain levels, back function, and overall quality of life. The trial lasts several months to over a year depending on your assigned treatment group.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 22, 2026 · Not medical advice

Spine Surgery vs. Rehabilitation for Chronic Low Back Pain

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(5 sites)