Spinal Stenosis and Claudication

Question 1

Pathogenesis of spinal stenosis?

Answer 1

Spondylosis & bulging discs
|
Bulging ligamentum flavum 
|
Osteophytosis

Question 2

What is claudication?

Answer 2

Pain in legs while walking

Question 3

Normal age demographic for spinal stenosis/claudication?

Answer 3

Over 60

Question 4

Signs/symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Answer 4

-Claudication

Question 5

How is vascular claudication different from spinal stenosis claudication?

Answer 5

• Claudication distance is inconsistent
• Pain is burning
• Pain is less walking uphill (spine flexion creates more space for cauda equina)
• Pedal pulses preserved

Question 6

Treatment of spinal stenosis?

Answer 6

• Conservative: physiotherapy and weight loss

- If no improvement & MRI evidence of stenosis: surgery

Question 7

What surgery for spinal stenosis?

Answer 7

Decompression to increase space for cauda equina