BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLS) is characterized as a narrowing of the spinal canal, compressing the neural elements and leading to symptoms of radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication. Conservative care is commonly recommended for the initial treatment of DLS, but in refractory cases, surgical intervention is considered. During the initial management of patients with DLS, the use of opiates has become increasingly common. Findings from previous studies show that 33%-70% of patients undergoing spine surgery are on opioid therapy despite the evidence that preoperative opioid use has a negative impact on spine surgery outcomes. As such, patients undergoing operative treatment for various lumbar disorders with concomitant opioid use represent a clinically challenging population with regards to patient outcomes and adequate pain control. Patients with workers' compensation are known to be a clinically distinct population with poorer outcomes compared to non-WC patients.