Last reviewed: 1 Feb 2021
Last updated: 05 Oct 2018
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- onset and duration of symptoms
- back pain
- activity-related back pain
- leg pain when walking
- stooped posture when walking
- leg numbness or paresthesias
- absence of exam findings
Other diagnostic factors
- pain radiating down the leg
- bladder or bowel dysfunction
- muscle weakness or wasting
Risk factors
- age over 40 years
- manual labor
- previous back surgery
- family history of back pain
- smoking
- previous injury
- achondroplasia
- acromegaly
Diagnostic investigations
Investigations to consider
- CT myelography
- CT spine
- electromyographic (EMG) walking test
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon
NH
Disclosures
AMP is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Dr Adam M. Pearson would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr William A. Abdu, Dr John K. Houten, and Dr Mark Chwajol, previous contributors to this topic. WAA is an author of a reference cited in this topic. JKH and MC declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Associate Professor
Department of Neurosurgery
Stanford University
Stanford
CA
Disclosures
JR declares that he has no competing interests.
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