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
