Lumbar spinal stenosis is typically aggravated by long periods of standing and walking and relieved by sitting and rest. Which option best describes this pattern?

• A. Walking and standing; relief by sitting and rest
• B. Sitting and rest; relief by standing and walking
• C. Flexion; extension
• D. Heat; cold

Answer: (A)

Lumbar spinal stenosis causes neurogenic claudication, where walking or standing upright worsens nerve compression in the narrowed canal, and sitting or resting—often with a flexed posture—eases the compression and relieves symptoms. The best description of this pattern is walking and standing that aggravates symptoms, with relief when sitting and resting. The other options either focus on which posture relieves symptoms (flexion) rather than the pattern of aggravation, or mention factors like heat/cold that aren’t related to this condition.