Description

Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of the thigh. It is caused by compression of the nerve that provides sensation to the skin that covers the thigh. Meralgia paresthetica is also known as lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment.

Tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy are common causes of meralgia paresthetica. But meralgia paresthetica can also be due to an injury or a disease like diabetes.

Meralgia paresthetica can often be relieved with conservative measures, such as wearing looser clothing. If the symptoms are not relieved by these measures, the treatment may include medication. Rarely, surgery is needed.

Symptoms

Meralgia paresthetica can cause these symptoms in the outer part of the thigh:

  • A tingling sensation.
  • The pain of the burning.
  • Decreased sensation or numbness.
  • Increased sensitivity and pain even a light touch.

These symptoms usually occur on one side of your body and you can intensify after walking or standing.

When to see your doctor

Consult your health care professional if you have symptoms of meralgia paresthetica.

Causes

Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is pinched, also known as a compression. The nerve provides sensation to the surface of the outer part of the thigh. The nerve affects only the feeling and will not affect your ability to use the muscles of the legs.

In most people, this nerve passes through the groin to the upper part of the thigh without problems. But in meralgia paresthetica, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is trapped. Often the ligament inguinal pinches the nerve. This ligament runs along the groin from the stomach into the upper part of the thigh.

The common causes of this compression include any condition that increases pressure in the groin, including:

  • Tight clothing, such as belts, sleeves and tight pants.
  • Obesity or weight gain.
  • He wore a heavy tool belt.
  • Pregnancy.
  • The accumulation of fluid in the abdomen causing increased abdominal pressure.
  • Scar tissue near the ligament inguinal due to an injury or surgery in the past.

The nerve injury may also cause meralgia paresthetica. Nerve injury can be due to diabetes, trauma after the surgery or the belt of injuries after a motor vehicle accident.

Risk factors

The following may increase your risk of meralgia paresthetica:

  • The Extra weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
  • Pregnancy. A growing belly increases the pressure in the groin, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes.
  • Diabetes. Diabetes-related nerve injury can lead to meralgia paresthetica.
  • Age. People between the ages of 30 and 60 are at a higher risk.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider can make a diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica based on medical history and a physical examination. You may need a blood test to check the sensation in his thigh. Your healthcare professionals may also ask you to describe the pain and trace the numbness or pain in your thigh.

Other tests may include tests of endurance and reflex testing to help rule out other causes of your symptoms.

The tests can also search a problem with the nerve root or damage to the femoral nerve, known as neuropathy. Your health care professional may recommend:

  • The imaging studies.The changes related meralgia paresthetica do not appear on x-rays. But the images of the hip and the area of the pelvis may be useful to exclude other conditions as a cause of the symptoms. ACTscan orMRImight be ordered if your healthcare provider suspects that a tumor could be causing your symptoms.
  • Electromyography. This test measures the electrical discharges produced in muscles to help assess and diagnose the muscle and nerve conditions. A thin needle called an electrode is placed in the muscle to record the electrical activity. This test may be needed to exclude other disorders.
  • The nerve conduction study. Review the style of the electrodes are placed on the skin to stimulate the nerve with a mild electrical impulse. The electrical impulse which helps to diagnose the damaged nerves. A comparison of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve on each side can be performed. This test can be performed primarily to exclude other causes of the symptoms.
  • Blockade of the nerves. The pain relief achieved from anesthetic injection in the thigh where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve comes in, we can confirm that you have meralgia paresthetica. The ultrasound can be used to guide the needle.

The imaging studies. The changes related meralgia paresthetica do not appear on x-rays. But the images of the hip and the area of the pelvis may be useful to exclude other conditions as a cause of the symptoms.

A ct scan or an mri may be ordered if your healthcare provider suspects that a tumor could be causing your symptoms.

Treatment

For most people, the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica ease in a couple of months. The treatment is focused on relieving the compression of the nerve.

Conservative measures

Conservative measures include:

  • Wearing looser clothing.
  • Losing the excess weight.
  • Taking pain medicines available without a prescription. You could include acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.

Drugs

If the symptoms last more than two months, or if the pain does not go away with conservative treatment, the treatment may include:

  • Injections of corticosteroids. The injections can reduce inflammation and relieve the pain for a short period of time. Possible side effects include infection of the joint, damage to the nerves, the pain and the lightening of the skin around the injection site.
  • The tricyclic antidepressants. These medications may relieve your pain. The side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and impaired sexual function.
  • Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) or pregabalin (Lyrica). These anti-epileptic drugs may help to reduce the pain. Side effects include constipation, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and dizziness.

Surgery

Rarely, surgery to decompress the nerve may be considered. This option is only for people with very painful and long-lasting symptoms.

Preparing for your appointment

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began.
  • Key personal information, including medical conditions and major stresses or recent life changes.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

For meralgia paresthetica, basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?

Do not hesitate to ask any other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional may have the question include:

  • What part of the leg is affected?
  • Has had recent surgeries?
  • Has had recent injuries to his hip area, such as a seat belt in a motor vehicle accident?
  • Do you perform repetitive activities that affect your hip area, such as cycling?
  • Have you gained weight?
  • You have recently been pregnant?
  • Do you have diabetes?
  • It is the burning or tingling sensation occasional or continuous?
  • How bad is the trouble?
  • There are activities that make your symptoms worse?
  • There is weakness in the leg?

What you can do in the meantime

If the pain is annoying, pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin can be useful. Also, avoid wearing tight clothes.

Symptoms and treatment of Meralgia paresthetica