Which statement is NOT typical of neurogenic claudication?

Which statement is NOT typical of neurogenic claudication?

• A. Shiny, hairless skin on legs
• B. Poorly defined leg pain
• C. Limb numbness
• D. Muscle weakness

Answer: (A)

Neurogenic claudication comes from nerve root compression in the lumbar spine, so leg symptoms are driven by neural irritation during walking and often improve with sitting or bending forward (flexion) rather than with rest alone. Numbness and weakness can accompany the pain because nerves are involved, and back pain may be present as part of the degenerative process. Shiny, hairless skin on the legs, by contrast, points to chronic arterial insufficiency and vascular claudication, not nerve compression. In vascular claudication the problem is reduced blood flow, and skin changes such as hair loss, shininess, and coolness are common. So the statement about shiny, hairless skin is not typical of neurogenic claudication, while the other features can be seen with it.

Neurogenic claudication comes from nerve root compression in the lumbar spine, so leg symptoms are driven by neural irritation during walking and often improve with sitting or bending forward (flexion) rather than with rest alone. Numbness and weakness can accompany the pain because nerves are involved, and back pain may be present as part of the degenerative process. Shiny, hairless skin on the legs, by contrast, points to chronic arterial insufficiency and vascular claudication, not nerve compression. In vascular claudication the problem is reduced blood flow, and skin changes such as hair loss, shininess, and coolness are common. So the statement about shiny, hairless skin is not typical of neurogenic claudication, while the other features can be seen with it.