Neurogenic Claudication

Neurogenic claudication is a symptom or form of presentation of spinal stenosis (commonly called "canal stenosis"), or inflammation of the nerves in their exit from the spinal cord. The term "neurogéna" implies that the problem originates in the nerves, and the word "claudicación", that comes from its Latin equivalent word, that means "lameness", means that the patient perceives a weakness or painful sensation of cramps in the thighs or legs.

Neurogenic claudication should be distinguished from vascular claudication, also known as intermittent claudication, which is caused by a circulatory problem of blood supply to the leg muscles. Neurogenic claudication may consist of a unilateral or bilateral sensation of discomfort, pain or weakness in the calf, gluteal region or thigh. In some patients it occurs when the patient walks or stays standing for a long time. Classically pain is not relieved by simple resting (as in vascular claudication), but the patient with neurogenic claudication needs to change the position of their waist, leaning forward (antropoid position). For this reason, patients with neurogenic claudication are less able to climb stairs than to lower them, push carts or practice cycling (as opposed to those with vascular claudication, which may show a worsening of symptoms when climbing stairs or remaining seated )

In some patients with severe nerve root compression, neurogenic claudication is not intermittent but painfully persistent. Its pathophysiology is thought to be caused by ischemia suffered by lumbosacral nerve roots secondary to compression by surrounding structures (hypertrophied facets or facets, yellow ligament, vertebral osteophytes, scar tissue or bulging discs , protruding or downright herniated.

Differential diagnosis should be considered in addition to vascular claudication, trochanteric bursitis.

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