< 1 mn read
In this post we compare the major differences between Spinal Claudication vs Vascular Claudication.
Table of Contents
Claudication Definition
The word claudication originates from a Latin word “claudicare” which means, ‘to limp’ [1]. Claudication is a pain, cramp or sense of fatigue in a muscle group of the lower extremity related to walking or any sustained exercise of lower limbs [2]. It is relieved by taking rest. Claudication occurs elsewhere in the body, but it is the symptoms and nature of pain in the legs that have a major clinical significance.
Spinal Claudication vs Vascular Claudication
The table below enumerates the differences [3]:
| No. | Characteristic | Spinal or Neurogenic Claudication | Vascular Claudication |
| 1 | Mechanism | Ileofemoral Arterial Insufficiency | Lumbosacral Nerve Root entrapment |
| 2 | Cause | Ischemic | Mechanical compression which leads to Ischemia of cauda equina |
| 3 | Pain | Cramping | Radicular |
| 4 | Pain Location | Exercised muscles | Lumbosacral (sciatic) |
| 5 | Pain relieved by | Rest (any posture) | Rest (Flexion posture or sitting) |
| 6 | Postural changes | Yes | No |
| 7 | Walking upright | Cause symptoms | Causes Symptoms |
| 8 | Standing stationary | Symptoms not relieved | Relieves symptoms |
| 9 | Sitting | Relieves symptoms | Relieves symptoms |
| 10 | Stair climbing | Up easier (back flexed) | Down easier (less work for muscles) |
| 11 | Bicycle (back flexed) | Relieves symptoms | Causes symptoms |
| 12 | Motor Deficit | Rare | Variable, exacerbated by walking |
| 13 | Pulses | Decreased | Normal |
| 14 | Arterial Bruit | May be present | Absent |
| 15 | Diagnostic Investigation | Angiography | MRI Lumbosacral spine |
Read Similar Articles
- NMC (MCI) Approved Journals Indexing Guidelines for Research Publication-2022
- Surgical Training in India: Problems and Solutions
- Which is the latest edition of Bailey and Love?
- Tarlov Cyst on Sacrum
- Best Surgery Books
- MRCS Preparation
References
- https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/claudicare
- Smith RB III. Claudication. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 13. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235/
- Binder, D. K., Schmidt, M. H., & Weinstein, P. R. (2002). Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Semin Neurol, 22(02), 157–166. DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-36539. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12524561/