Whenever I walk or exert myself, my legs become numb, weak and “crampy”…Why?
The symptoms described above are suggestive of claudication. Claudication is caused by a lack of blood supply to the legs (Vascular Claudication) as well as to the nerves going to the legs (Neurogenic Claudication). Vascular claudication is treated by identifying where the blocked vessels are, and re-opening them with surgery or angioplasty (placing a balloon in the vessel and dilating it). Neurogenic claudication is caused by the lack of blood flow to the nerves going to the legs, while they are still within the spinal canal (cauda equina). The poor blood supply is due to physical compression of the nerves and the blood vessels running with them. In the elderly, this is due to overgrowth of arthritic bone (Lumbar Stenosis and Spondylosis). In younger patients, neurogenic claudication can be due to congenital narrowing of the spinal canal (Congenital Lumbar Stenosis) or a slippage of vertebrae themselves (Lumbar Spondylolithesis). This condition can occur suddenly due to a herniated lu
