Neurogenic claudication

Summary

Neurogenic claudication is a cardinal symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis and an important and frequent differential diagnosis in reported “leg pain”. Whereas findings are often relatively normal on clinical examination, a detailed anamnesis can frequently lead to the correct (suspected) diagnosis, which is subsequently confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging or CT myelography. In the absence of any relevant neurological deficits, conservative treatment with anal-gesia, peridural cortisone injections and physiotherapy can initially be attempted. If conservative treatment fails or neurological deficits occur, most patients benefit from surgical decompression of the spinal canal, with additional stabilisation if appropriate.

Keywords

Neurogenic claudication - leg pain - spinal stenosis

• References

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