Neurogenic claudication describes a condition in which a nerve issue causes muscle fatigue, weakness or pain in your legs. A number of different issues can lead to this nerve damage, but one of the most common causes is the progression of spinal stenosis.
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the space through which your key spinal nerves travel ends up narrowing. As less space becomes available for these nerves to pass unimpeded, they can become irritated, compressed or damaged. Some degree of natural stenosis occurs as a result of the aging process, but it can also be exacerbated by issues like weight gain, poor posture, an acute injury or genetics.
If you’re dealing with neurogenic claudication as a result of spinal stenosis, connect with Dr. Jackman. We can help alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life. Below, we take a closer look at the condition and explain some common treatment options.
Treating Neurogenic Claudication Caused By Spinal Stenosis
We noted that neurogenic claudication can be caused by a number of issues, including spinal stenosis, but spinal stenosis can also develop for a few different reasons, so in order to effectively treat your claudication, we need to understand your underlying spinal stenosis issue. Some of the most common reasons for spinal stenosis to develop include:
- Arthritic changes in the spine
- Shifted or herniated spinal disc
- Poor spinal fracture healing
- Spinal tumors
- A bone condition like Paget’s disease
- A naturally narrow spinal canal
- Acute injury that places pressure on a nerve root
Dr. Jackman and his team will work to uncover the root cause of your spinal stenosis through a variety of tests. A physical exam, a review of your symptoms and imaging tests like an x-ray or MRI typically allow a physician to make a clear determination as to the onset of spinal stenosis.
Once your doctor has made a clear diagnosis, they’ll begin to walk you through your treatment options. Again, this will be based on the underlying cause of stenosis, as some patients may be candidates for non-surgical options. For example, if your stenosis is the result of a shifted spinal disc or arthritic degeneration, you may find symptom relief by pursuing a combination of physical therapy, posture improvements, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and hot/cold therapy.
For others, and for those who cannot find relief through conservative means, surgery may be in the cards. There are a few different techniques used to surgically address spinal stenosis causing neurogenic claudication, but the ultimate goal will be to decompress the nerve and provide more space for it to travel unimpeded. Your doctor may opt to remove part or all of a damaged disc, excise a tumor or address an area of your spine that did not heal perfectly following an injury or previous surgery. Oftentimes these procedures have a high rate of success, but since surgery carries additional risks, non-operative options are typically pursued if at all possible.
If you’re dealing with leg weakness or pain and you believe that spinal stenosis may be to blame, work to overcome the issue by connecting with Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. Give our team a call today at (651) 430-3800.
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