Calcitonin Treatment for Neurogenic Claudication

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Abstract
Patients (41) with a possible diagnosis of neurogenic claudication were treated with calcitonin for 4 wk. Eleven responded with considerable improvement in their walking distance. Ten agreed to enter a randomized double-blind cross-over trial, and 8 made a correct assessment. Calcitonin apparently is effective in relieving symptoms of neurogenic claudication for some patients. Five patients have received the drug for over 1 yr with no serious side effects, and 2 have not relapsed after discontinuing the drug. Patients likely to respond will probably have symptoms affecting both legs equally, pain extending blow the upper calf, walking limited to under a mile, an abnormal myelogram, and no more than 1 inappropriate sign. They are more likely to be men in late middle age who have been engaged in manual work. The beneficial effect of calcitonin is probably the result of an arterial shunt mechanism, whereby a reduction in skeletal blood flow provides for a deprived cauda equina.

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