SPINAL STENOSIS - A COMMON-CAUSE OF PEDIATRIC SYMPTOMS

Spinal stenosis, involving pressure on either the central spinal cord or nerve root exiting the spinal canal, can cause a variety of symptom s in the lower extremities. A classic symptom is that of neurogenic cl audication, involving leg pain and weakness brought on by walking. The pain is relieved by sitting or lying down, not by standing and restin g as would be seen in arterial insufficiency-induced claudication. Oth er symptoms of spinal stenosis can involve paresthesia, weakness or cr amping in one or both extremities, rest pain, or burning pain, and are commonly misdiagnosed as peripheral neuropathy, especially in patient s with diabetes. Symptoms are often chronic, frequently missed, or mis diagnosed in the medical community, and may cause severe disability or reduction in the quality of life. Spinal stenosis is in some patients the unidentified cause of failure of treatment of foot and leg pain. Pediatric physicians, who focus on the patient's lower extremities, ar e in a unique position to be able to identify spinal stenosis and faci litate appropriate treatment. The authors provide current information regarding symptoms of spinal stenosis, a guide to diagnosis including the anatomical etiologies, and a basic understanding of treatment.