STUDY QUESTION Is interspinous process device implantation more effective in the short term (eight weeks) than conventional surgical decompression for patients with intermittent neurogenic claudication due to lumbar spinal stenosis?

SUMMARY ANSWER The use of interspinous implants did not result in a better outcome than conventional decompression, but the reoperation rate was significantly higher.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Bony decompression and treatment with interspinous process devices are superior to conservative and non-surgical treatment for intermittent neurogenic claudication due to lumbar spinal stenosis. Interspinous implants surgery is not superior to bony decompression, and the reoperation rate is significantly higher.