Taking Part

A member of your care team will ask you some questions about your back pain. This helps check if this study is right for you.

You will have time to read the study information, talk with the study team, and ask questions.

If you decide to join, you will be asked to sign a consent form. This can be done on paper or online.

After you sign the consent form, you will complete a questionnaire about your back pain and general health.

Everyone who joins will be placed into one of two groups:

• one group will have Lumbar Fusion Surgery
• the other group will have Personalised Spinal Care

There is a 50/50 chance of being in either group. This helps us make a fair comparison.

Lumbar Fusion Surgery is an operation that joins two or more bones in the lower spine. Over time, these bones heal and become one solid bone.

Personalised Spinal Care is a treatment plan tailored to you. It may include supervised exercise, support for your physical and mental health, and other ways to manage pain.

To take part, you must be comfortable receiving either treatment.

You will be asked to complete questionnaires at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after joining the study.

You will also receive a short monthly text message or email for 2 years asking about your back pain.

Some participants may be invited to take part in an interview about their experience. This is optional.

If you have surgery, you will also be invited for a CT scan at 2 years.

We may also ask for permission to contact you again in 5 years, if future funding is approved.