Pain in the legs is often overlooked as a sign of aging, but can be associated with serious conditions. If you have pain in your legs when walking up the stairs, it could be for several reasons. When the pain is in one leg, it is more likely to be caused by nerve compression.
Causes
Pain in one leg while walking up the stairs is often caused by a narrowing of the spinal column called spinal stenosis. Nerves that run through the holes in the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spinal column, can become compressed. The narrowing is often related to arthritis but can also be caused by a slipped disk, dehydrated compressed disks, tumors on the spine, a back injury or a defect that was present from birth.
Symptoms
People with spinal stenosis will typically have pain on one side when walking upright, standing or walking up a flight of stairs. The affected area can include your lower back, buttocks, legs and feet. In addition to pain, some people may have numbness, tingling or weakness. These symptoms can get worse over time. Some people will notice trouble walking and keeping their balance. Some may also notice relief of pain and numbness while leaning forward or sitting. If you are having trouble controlling urination or bowel movements, it is considered a serious symptom and you should seek medical attention right away.
Treatment
Your doctor may want to do x-rays of your back to visualize the spinal column. These can be taken while leaning forward and backward to demonstrate any instability in your spine. Other forms of imaging may also be ordered. Conservative therapy like steroid injections around the nerves, stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medication and traction may be tried first before more invasive therapies such as surgery to remove part of the bone compressing the nerve or fusion of the disks are considered. Only you and your doctor will be able to determine which treatment is right for you.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing pain in one leg while walking up the stairs, it could be compression due to spinal stenosis. If you are having symptoms such as loss of bowel or bladder function, it is serious and you should see a doctor immediately. Discuss treatment options with your doctor to see what works best for you.
