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Table 1. Signs and symptoms in patients presenting with the four main symptom complexes of
spinal stenosis
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Radiculopathy Chronic Canda Equina Syndrome* Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication Atypical leg Pain
Sciatica Urinary/bowel incontinence Pseudoclaudication Leg pain+
Low back pain Urinary urgency/hesitancy Low back pain Low back pain
Motor deficit Low back pain Sciatica Tingling
Sensory deficit Sciatica Motor deficit
Paresthesias Sensory deficit
Weakness
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* The primary distinguishing symptom is listed at the top of the table.
+ Leg pain that is not typical of either radicular or neurogenic claudication. Distribution is
often diffuse, bizarre, and is nondermatomal.
(Reproduced with permission from Andersson GBJ, McNeill TW (eds): Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. St.
Louis, MO, CV Mosby, 1992.)
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Beaty, JH (ed): Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 6. Rosemont, IL. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 1999 Ch. 51, pp. 685-698.