Study Comparing 3 Different Treatments for Arthritis of the Lower Back (Lumbar Spinal Stenosis)

Physician will administer these medications based upon the individual needs of each patient.

The attending physician may refer subjects for epidural injections at a pain clinic that is affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. All epidural injections will be provided by licensed physicians who are board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation or anesthesiology.

These joint mobilizations will be applied manually to the lumbar facet joints, sacroiliac joints, and/or hip joints by licensed physical therapists and chiropractors.

The treating physical therapist or chiropractor will work with each subject to develop a set of individualized exercises in the clinic setting. The goal is to have the subjects continue these exercises at home.

The group exercise will take place at community centers that provide exercise classes for older adult. The exercises are taught by certified fitness instructors in a group setting at these community centers.