A 72-year-old male complains of intermittent low back pain and a progressively increasing intolerance for prolonged standing and walking. The pain is relieved by sitting or by leaning over on a chair or a shopping cart. During the physical examination, you note a significant loss of movement at L5-S1 and L4-L5, decreased bilateral hamstring flexibility, hip motions within normal limits, and a negative neurological examination. Given the patient’s history and age, what would be your best hypothesis for a possible diagnosis?
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Vascular insufficiency
- Peripheral nerve impairment
- Lumbar spinal stenosis