If you feel pain, heaviness, or weakness in your legs when walking but relief when sitting or leaning forward, you may be experiencing claudication.
Claudication refers to muscle pain, fatigue, or cramping in your buttocks, thighs, or calves that’s triggered by activity (like walking) and improves with rest. There are different types of claudication, and identifying the cause is your next step to getting the right treatment.
So how do you know which type you have? Neurogenic claudication is commonly associated with spinal conditions, such as spinal stenosis, in which spinal narrowing puts pressure on nearby nerves.
At Trinity Pain Medicine Associates, our team of double board-certified pain management physicians and anesthesiologists can help determine which type of claudication you’re experiencing, what’s causing it, and how to relieve it.
Read on as we take a closer look at neurogenic claudication and the signs that may put you at risk.
Neurogenic claudication occurs when nerves in your lower spine become compressed, usually due to spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis happens when your spinal canal becomes narrowed.
This pressure on your nerves can lead to:
Because it’s related to nerve compression rather than circulation, it behaves differently from other causes of claudication. (Peripheral artery disease, for example, can cause pain related to poor circulation. This type is known as vascular claudication.)
You may have a higher risk for developing neurogenic claudication if:
Neurogenic claudication is most common in adults over 50.
As you age, natural wear-and-tear changes in your spine, like disc degeneration, thickened ligaments, and arthritis, can narrow the space around your spinal nerves. These structural changes increase the likelihood of nerve compression.
Certain spine conditions significantly raise your risk of developing neurogenic claudication. These conditions include spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis in your spine, and herniated discs.
These conditions can gradually reduce the space available for nerves.
Your daily habits and work environment can also contribute to the development of neurogenic claudication.
You may be at higher risk if you:
These factors can place additional stress on your spine and worsen existing narrowing. Smoking, in particular, can reduce blood flow to spinal tissues and accelerate degenerative changes, which may increase nerve compression and make symptoms more severe over time.
Carrying excess weight can increase the load on your spine, accelerating degenerative changes.
A history of back injuries or spinal procedures can change the structure of your spine. Scar tissue, instability, or prior damage may contribute to nerve compression and increase your risk of neurogenic claudication.
If walking becomes uncomfortable or you find yourself stopping frequently due to leg pain, don’t brush it off.
You should consider an assessment here in our Fort Worth, Texas, office if:
During your evaluation, our team focuses on identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms. From there, we can recommend targeted treatment options designed to relieve nerve pressure, reduce pain, and improve your mobility. These may include physical therapy, medications, or minimally invasive procedures, depending on the severity of your condition.
If you experience any pain when walking or standing, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team in Fort Worth, Texas. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, you can reduce symptoms, improve function, and get back to moving more comfortably.
Call 817-332-3664 or click here to schedule a consultation with our team.
