Clinical features

Symptoms are brought on by exercise with pain in one or both calves similar to that seen in intermittent claudication

• continued exercise results in paraesthesia in one or both feet, with spastic weakness of one or both legs in the case of spinal cord involvement, or foot drop if the cauda equina is involved
• there is often a history of back pain
• condition may be brought on by standing with the spine extended.

Contrary to true intermittent claudication, the distance at which symptoms are noticeable may vary, and may be relieved only by sitting or by lying with hips and knees drawn up in a sitting position - stopping walking is insufficient; following relief, the patient is able to walk or stand for a further period.

Ref: Walton (1985). Brains diseases of the nervous system. Oxford Medical Publications.