Which condition is characterized by weakness and numbness of the legs when walking, relieved by sitting?

The condition characterized by weakness and numbness of the legs when walking, which is relieved by sitting, is spinal stenosis. This occurs due to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots that emerge from the spine. As a person walks or stands for an extended period, the increased pressure from the narrowed space leads to symptoms like weakness, numbness, or cramping in the legs.

When the individual sits down or bends forward, the pressure is alleviated, providing relief from these symptoms. This classic presentation helps distinguish spinal stenosis from other conditions. For example, multiple sclerosis may cause weakness and numbness, but it typically does not present with a predictable pattern that improves simply by sitting. Rheumatoid arthritis could lead to joint pain and stiffness but does not specifically cause the described symptoms when walking. Peripheral neuropathy often results in a more generalized loss of sensation or motor function and is not necessarily related to the posture or activity level in the same way spinal stenosis is.