What causes neurogenic claudication?

What causes neurogenic claudication?

Neurogenic claudication is typically caused by spinal stenosis, which is sometimes called pseudoclaudication. This is a narrowing of the space around your lower spine, which can put pressure on your spinal cord directly. It can also compress the blood vessels around the spine, depriving it of oxygen-carrying blood. Either of these two possibilities can cause pain that starts in your lower back and continues down your legs, as well as weakness, tingling or numbness in your legs and feet. It can also make it hard for you to control your bowel or bladder.

One key difference between vascular and neurogenic claudication is something that people can do to relieve the pain. In neurogenic claudication, people report that they can relieve the pain by leaning forward. This is called the “shopping cart sign” because it resembles the posture of someone pushing a shopping cart, and it’s not seen in people with vascular claudication.