Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis usually present with a constellation of symptoms that include lower back pain, radiating leg pain (unilateral or bilateral), and possible bladder and bowel difficulties. The classic presentation is radiating leg pain (with or without a numbness and tingling sensation) associated with walking that is relieved by rest (neurogenic claudication). When patients bend forward, the pain diminishes. Rarely, patients with lumbar spinal stenosis present with cauda equina syndrome (bilateral leg weakness, urinary retention due to atonic bladder).
For more information on the presentation of spinal stenosis, read here.
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Cite this: Fast Five Quiz: Can You Identify the Source of and Properly Treat Back Pain? - Medscape - Sep 30, 2014.
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