Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Spine
intermediate
X-Type

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Decompression

Degenerative Spine

A 68-year-old man presents with a 2-year history of progressive bilateral buttock and leg pain with walking that is relieved by sitting or leaning forward on a shopping trolley. He can walk approximately 100 meters before symptoms force him to stop. Examination shows no focal weakness at rest but reduced pedal pulses. MRI demonstrates severe central canal stenosis at L4/5 with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, facet arthrosis, and disc bulging. There is no spondylolisthesis. Regarding lumbar spinal stenosis:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Lumbar spinal stenosis causes neurogenic claudication characterized by bilateral lower limb pain, he...

B

Stenosis can be central (canal), lateral recess (subarticular), or foraminal; pathoanatomy includes ...

C

Neurogenic claudication is relieved by standing still; spinal extension opens the canal; the shoppin...

D

Non-operative management includes physiotherapy, NSAIDs, epidural steroid injections, and activity m...

E

Addition of fusion to decompression is indicated for instability (spondylolisthesis, scoliosis), nee...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option