Symptoms
Left untreated, meralgia paresthetica may cause increased pain, numbness, or other sensations like burning. These effects may interfere with your ability to walk or move normally. Prevention
Causes
Meralgia paresthetica is caused by the compression of one of the large sensory nerves in the leg — the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This nerve provides sensation to the skin along the outer thigh starting from the inguinal ligament and extending down toward the knee. Compression of this nerve can result in numbness, tingling, pain or a burning ...
Prevention
24/09/2018 · Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by numbness, tingling, and a burning pain in the outer thigh. Symptoms may worsen after walking or standing. [1] The condition usually affects only one side of the body, but both sides may be affected in up to 20% of cases. [2] Meralgia paresthetica is caused by compression of the lateral femoral ...
Complications
Meralgia paresthetica is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) that can lead to significant disability when the diagnosis is missed or delayed. Fifteen cases of meralgia paresthetica were identified in 14 patients in a private surgical practice during a 4-year period.
How does Meralgia paresthetica affect the body?
This is a very annoying nerve injury. The good news is that it is not dangerous. This nerve supplies skin only, and injury will not cause weakness. The bad news is that we have limited treatment options. Meralgia Paresthetica Thigh Numbness and Pain By: Dr. Katharine Leppard
How do you treat Meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes numbness, pain, or a burning feeling in your outer thigh. You might also hear it called Bernhardt-Roth syndrome. It happens when there’s too much ...
How common is Meralgia paresthetica in the US?
19/01/2021 · Meralgia paresthetica, sometimes referred to as burning thigh pain, is a condition of the peripheral nervous system characterized by tingling, pain or numbness in the outer thigh. It arises when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is compressed. This nerve supplies sensory information from the skin of the outer thigh to the brain. When compressed, it can cause …
When should I see a doctor for Meralgia paresthetica?
23/09/2016 · When Pain in Your Outer Thigh Might Be Serious. If you are having burning pain in the outer thigh that is steadily getting worse, you may be suffering from meralgia paresthetica. Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness or burning in the outer upper thigh region.
What happens if meralgia paresthetica goes untreated?
Left untreated, meralgia paresthetica may cause increased pain, numbness, or other sensations like burning. These effects may interfere with your ability to walk or move normally.09-Nov-2018
Is meralgia paresthetica common?
Meralgia paresthetica is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that can lead to significant disability when the diagnosis and treatment is delayed or missed. This condition is relatively common but is frequently mistaken for other disorders.
How do you fix meralgia paresthetica?
For most people, the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica ease in a few months. Treatment focuses on relieving nerve compression....TreatmentWearing looser clothing.Losing excess weight.Taking OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.
Should I see a doctor for meralgia paresthetica?
You should see your doctor if you notice you have any of the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica, especially if these symptoms don't go away on their own after a few days.
When is meralgia paresthetica serious?
If you are having burning pain in the outer thigh that is steadily getting worse, you may be suffering from meralgia paresthetica. Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness or burning in the outer upper thigh region.23-Sept-2016
How long can meralgia paresthetica last?
It can take some time for your pain to go away. Some people will still feel numbness even after treatment. In most cases, though, you should be able to recover within 4 to 6 weeks.14-Sept-2020
Is thigh numbness serious?
Thigh numbness may not be cause for alarm, and can often be treated with rest. However, if you begin to experience worsening symptoms or if your numbness spreads, seek immediate medical attention. Schedule a visit with your doctor if you begin to experience sudden numbness and pain.20-Mar-2018
What kind of doctor do I see for meralgia paresthetica?
For the accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan for meralgia paresthetica, it is important to meet with a specialist that is specifically trained in peripheral nerve conditions. Our specialists at Advanced Neurosurgery Associates provide treatment of meralgia paresthetica.
Why is meralgia paresthetica worse at night?
At night our body temperature fluctuates and goes down a bit. Most people tend to sleep in a cooler room as well. The thought is that damaged nerves might interpret the temperature change as pain or tingling, which can heighten the sense of neuropathy.03-Jan-2020
Can meralgia paresthetica be caused by a tumor?
Although meralgia paresthetica is usually caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at the level of the inguinal ligament, in rare cases it can occur as a result of a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve tumor (e.g., a schwannoma).
Can sitting cause meralgia paresthetica?
Symptoms may worsen with sitting, standing, or walking for long periods of time. What Causes this Condition? such as a tight leather belt or even your favorite skinny jeans can lead to meralgia paresthetica.
How to tell if you have meralgia?
Pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper thigh, might cause these symptoms of meralgia paresthetica: 1 Tingling and numbness in the outer (lateral) part of your thigh 2 Burning pain on the surface of the outer part of your thigh
Why does my thigh hurt?
The cause of meralgia paresthetica is compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the skin surface of your thigh. Tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy are common causes of meralgia paresthetica.
What is the pain in the upper leg called?
Meralgia paresthetica. Meralgia paresthetica. Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of your thigh. The condition is caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper leg. Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by ...
Where does the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve go?
But in meralgia paresthetica, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve becomes trapped — often under the inguinal ligament, which runs along your groin from your abdomen to your upper thigh. Common causes of this compression include any condition ...
Can meralgia paresthetica be caused by obesity?
Tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy are common causes of meralgia paresthetica. However, meralgia paresthetica can also be due to local trauma or a disease, such as diabetes. In most cases, you can relieve meralgia paresthetica with conservative measures, such as wearing looser clothing. In severe cases, treatment may include ...
Why does my groin feel compressed?
Common causes of this compression include any condition that increases pressure on the groin, including: Nerve injury, which can be due to diabetes or seat belt injury after a motor vehicle accident, for example, also can cause meralgia paresthetica.
What causes numbness in the upper thigh?
Pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper thigh, might cause these symptoms of meralgia paresthetica: Tingling and numbness in the outer (lateral) part of your thigh. Burning pain on the surface of the outer part of your thigh. These symptoms commonly occur on one side of your body ...
Why does meralgia paresthetica occur?
Meralgia paresthetica is caused by irritation of the nerve, most commonly from entrapment. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which runs through the pelvis, groin and into the thighs, can become compressed due to swelling, trauma or pressure in the surrounding areas. Common causes of meralgia paresthetica may include:
What nerve is involved in lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
Meralgia Paresthetica. Meralgia paresthetic a is caused by the compression of one of the large sensory nerves in the leg — the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This nerve provides sensation to the skin along the outer thigh starting from the inguinal ligament and extending down toward the knee.
What nerves are involved in meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia Paresthetica Symptoms. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerv e branches off the lumbar plexus, a network of nerves that connects the spinal cord in the lower back with the motor and sensory nerves of the legs and lower body. It provides sensation to the front and sides of the thigh. This is a pure sensory nerve and does not operate any muscles.
What are the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica?
Symptoms of meralgia paresthetica may include: Burning sensation felt in the top or outer side of the thigh. Tingling or numbness. More sensitivity on light touch than on deep pressure.
What is the treatment for a nerve compression?
Proper diagnosis of the underlying cause of the nerve compression is essential for effective treatment. Treatment may include physical therapy, weight loss, nerve block, injections or surgery.
How to reduce swelling in hips?
Wearing less restrictive clothing. Weight loss management. Corticosteroid injection to reduce swelling. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the compression surrounding the nerve.
Why does my pain go away after walking?
Sensitivity to light touch rather than to firm pressure. High sensitivity to heat. Pain may be worse after you’ve been walking or standing for a time. Your symptoms may be mild at first, but as the condition gets worse, you might feel sharper, shooting pain. It may go away and come back for no clear reason.
What is the condition that causes numbness, pain, and burning sensation in the outer thigh?
What Is Meralgia Paresthetica ? Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes numbness, pain, or a burning feeling in your outer thigh. You might also hear it called Bernhardt-Roth syndrome.
How does ultrasound help with pain?
They may also try phonophoresis, which uses ultrasound to help your body absorb a medication through your skin, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which delivers electrical impulses through pads applied to your skin to block pain. Medications. If your condition is more severe, you may need:
Is meralgia paresthetica normal?
If you have meralgia paresthetica, the results will be normal. But it can reveal another cause of your pain. Nerve conduction test. Electrode patches applied to your skin put out a small electrical impulse to see how well your nerve sends messages to the muscles.
What tests can be done to check for hip pain?
You may get x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. Electromyography. This measures the electrical activity in your muscles through a thin needle electrode.
How long does it take for a nerve to go away after surgery?
Some people will still feel numbness even after treatment. In most cases, though, you should be able to recover within 4 to 6 weeks.
Can LFCN be compressed?
Anesthesia is injected into your thigh at the point where your LFCN is likely to be compressed. If you have meralgia paresthetica, the pain will temporarily go away. Blood tests. Your doctor may check for signs of diabetes, hormone or vitamin imbalances, anemia or lead exposure.
Why does meralgia paresthetica cause sensitivity?
When the nerve becomes compressed due to swelling, overly tight clothing, or some other cause, normal signaling by the nerve is prevented , which can lead to abnormal sensitivity. Common causes of meralgia paresthetica include: Certain types of physical activity. Injury. Swelling.
What is the pain in the outer thigh called?
Meralgia paresthetica, sometimes referred to as burning thigh pain, is a condition of the peripheral nervous system characterized by tingling, pain or numbness in the outer thigh. It arises when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is compressed.
Does meralgia paresthetica require treatment?
In some cases, meral gia paresthetica will resolve itself and will not require treatment. In most cases, however, it is treated by addressing the cause of nerve compression, such as by wearing loose clothing, avoiding certain physical activities, or losing weight. If meralgia paresthetica is painful or persistent, however, ...
What are the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica?
Symptoms of meralgia paresthetica include abnormal or heightened sensation in the outer thigh. Abnormal sensations may take the form of tingling, numbness, sensitivity to touch, or burning pain. In rare cases, pain may extend to the knees, groin, or buttocks. Symptoms generally occur on only one side of the body.
Can complementary medicine help with meralgia?
Some complementary treatments may help some people in their efforts to deal with meralgia paresthetica. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for full medical care.
Can meralgia paresthetica be prevented?
Complications from meralgia paresthetica are rare and generally easily prevented. However, complications of untreated, severe meralgia paresthetica can be serious. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you.
What are the symptoms of a swollen thigh?
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious symptoms including: Leg weakness. Numbness, tingling or weakness in other parts of the body. Severe pain of the thigh that interferes with normal activities.