What is Meralgia paresthetica?
This large nerve supplies sensation to the front and side of your thigh. Meralgia paresthetica results in sensations of aching, burning, numbness, or stabbing in the thigh area. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
What increases my risk of Meralgia paresthetica?
The following might increase your risk of meralgia paresthetica: Extra weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the pressure on your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Pregnancy. A growing belly puts added pressure on your groin, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes.
Can meralgia paraesthetica get worse over time?
Sometimes people can get meralgia paraesthetica through carrying a toddler round for a long time, or cycling for a long period of time. So assuming that what caused the meralgia paraesthetica was a known medical condition could lead to you continuing to do the activity that caused the paraesthetica, which in turn could well make it worse.
How do you get rid of Meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica. In most cases, you can relieve meralgia paresthetica with conservative measures, such as wearing looser clothing. In severe cases, treatment may include medications to relieve discomfort or, rarely, surgery.
What can be mistaken for meralgia paresthetica?
A number of conditions resemble meralgia paresthetica closely enough that misdiagnosis is possible. These conditions include: Lumbar radiculopathy. Pain caused by compression or inflammation of a nerve in the spine.
Is meralgia paresthetica sciatica?
One of the false sciaticas is called “meralgia paresthetica.” Meralgia paresthetica is a compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as the nerve travels under the inguinal ligament of the pelvis.
Can a pinched nerve cause meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — which supplies sensation to the surface of your outer thigh — is pinched (compressed).
What happens if meralgia paresthetica goes untreated?
Left untreated, however, meralgia paresthetica may lead to serious pain or paralysis. Seek prompt medical care for persistent systems of meralgia paresthetica, such as numbness, tingling, or mild pain, as continued compression of the nerve may lead to permanent damage and paralysis.
Can a herniated disc cause meralgia paresthetica?
Proximal lesions such as lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar disc herniation, and spinal stenosis have been reported to cause meralgia paresthetica-like syndrome. These proximal lesions directly injure L2 and L3 spinal nerve roots and cause a constant compression of the nerve roots.
Can a chiropractor help meralgia paresthetica?
Conclusion. In the present case, chiropractic management with standard and applied kinesiology techniques resulted in recovery of meralgia paresthetica symptoms for this patient.
Is walking good for meralgia paresthetica?
Exercising for 30 minutes a day at least three or four times a week should help ease meralgia paresthetica pain. Some exercises to try include: brisk walking.
Can a tumor cause meralgia paresthetica?
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 a TENS unit help meralgia paresthetica?
Another treatment that may work for your symptoms is a TENS unit. A TENS unit is an electronic “gizmo”. Surface electrodes are taped to the skin around the painful area and gentle electrical stimulation of the skin blocks the pain signal.
Does MRI show meralgia paresthetica?
Imaging studies. Although no specific changes are evident on X-ray if you have meralgia paresthetica, images of your hip and pelvic area might be helpful to exclude other conditions as a cause of your symptoms. A CT scan or MRI might be ordered if your doctor suspects that a tumor could be causing your pain.
Is sitting good for meralgia paresthetica?
Symptoms of meralgia paresthetica include: Pain, numbness and tingling, and diminished sensation on the upper outer thigh. Pain may be described as burning, stinging, or "pins and needles" Pain may worsen with prolonged walking or standing, and is relieved by sitting.
Does meralgia paresthetica qualify for disability?
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.
What Is Meralgia Paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and burning pain in your outer thigh. MP occurs when the nerve that provi...
What Increases My Risk For MP?
1. Tight clothes 2. Obesity 3. Pregnancy 4. Scar tissue due to injury or surgery 5. Medical conditions, such as diabetes or lupus 6. Age between 40...
What Are The Symptoms of MP?
You may have symptoms on only one side of your body. Your symptoms may get worse if you stand or walk for a long time. You may have any of the foll...
How Can I Manage My Symptoms?
1. Maintain a healthy weight. This will decrease pressure on your nerve. Ask your healthcare provider how much you should weigh. Ask him to help yo...
When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?
1. Your symptoms do not improve with treatment. 2. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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 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 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.
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 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.
What are the risks of meralgia paresthetica?
The following might increase your risk of meralgia paresthetica: Extra weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the pressure on your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Pregnancy. A growing belly puts added pressure on your groin, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes. Diabetes.
What causes a pinched nerve in the thigh?
Causes. Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — which supplies sensation to the surface of your outer thigh — becomes compressed, or pinched. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is purely a sensory nerve and doesn't affect your ability to use your leg muscles. In most people, this nerve passes through ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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.
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 ...
What does it mean when your thigh is numb?
Numbness and tingling in the outer part of your thigh. Burning, stinging, or aching in the front or outer part of your thigh. Lower back pain that goes down your legs. Skin that is extra sensitive to the touch. Dull, achy pain in your groin and buttocks.
How long does it take for MP to go away?
MP may go away without treatment after a few weeks or months. If symptoms continue, you may need any of the following: Medicines may be given to relieve pain or decrease inflammation. Surgery may be needed if your symptoms are severe and other treatments do not work.
What is MP in a thigh?
What is meralgia paresthetica (MP)? MP is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and burning pain in your thigh. MP occurs when the nerve that provides feeling to the area is pinched.
How to lose weight without being overweight?
Ask your provider what a healthy weight is for you. He or she can help you create a safe weight loss plan if you are overweight. Go to physical therapy, if directed.
Can you refuse treatment?
You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
What Causes Meralgia Paresthetica?
Although a number of different reasons can cause of Meralgia Paresthetica, the main cause is excess body weight that can press down on the nerve near the beltline causing discomfort. Another reason for the nerve pressure is when, during pregnancy, there is a disproportionate weight that can put pressure on the LFCN.
How Can I Help Meralgia Paresthetica?
Some medical experts recommend that those with Meralgia Paresthetica work on losing excess weight, as well as wear looser fitting clothing (particularly pants) to prevent excess tightness on the area. It has been found that certain NSAIDS and pain relievers can help with symptom relief as well.
Why Choose Our Chiropractic Office?
At the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, Dr Astrid Baldrich is well versed in the treatment of all kinds of ailments, especially those diagnosed with Meralgia Paresthetica or sciatic nerve pain. After a quick initial exam, our doctors will set up your treatment to get you back on your feet with little to no pain in no time.
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:
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.
What are the nerves that send messages to the brain?
Nerves travel throughout your body, carrying messages to and from your brain. A certain set of nerves, called the sensory nerves, gather and send signals to your brain about your skin, muscles, and other tissues.
What causes a nerve to irritate?
Something heavy worn around your waist, like a tool or gun belt. A disease that can damage the nerves, like diabetes. Repetitive motions that could irritate the nerve, such as certain leg movements.
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.
What does a doctor do when you have a leg injury?
The doctor will touch your leg to find the affected area. They will check for any neurological abnormalities of the lower leg.
What has happened to the nerves in the thigh?
What has happened is that a nerve has become trapped within the thigh and this has resulted in the meralgia paraesthetica. It is important to ascertain what caused the nerve to become trapped in the first place and this can only be done by a healthcare professional.
What is the pain in the thigh called?
The term ‘meralgia paraesthetica’ refers to thigh pain that can present in different ways. Although there are different symptoms that can appear, such as general thigh pain, pins and needles in the thigh, a burning sensation and so on, it is important not to ignore the symptoms, but to have them checked out by an appropriate medical professional.
Can diabetes cause meralgia paraesthetica?
There are many causes of meralgia paraesthetica, but if you have a condition such as diabetes and think that you may have meralgia paraesthetica, it is still important to as certain if the nerve damage is due to diabetes or whether something else has caused it.
Can meralgia paraesthetica heal itself?
The difficulty with self diagnosing a condition such as meralgia paraesthetica is that although the condition can heal itself, when the trapp ed nerve is ‘ released’ if you simply ‘ho pe’ that the nerve will somehow release itself, the condition will simply remain present, unless the pressure on the nerve is inadvertently relieved.
Is meralgia paraesthetica a symptom of another disease?
That is not to suggest that if you think that you have meralgia paraesthetica, it will probably turn out to be something more sinister or longer term, but it is important to be sure that the condition is not a symptom of another disease, that may require greater investigation and treatment. So seeking medical assistance is important.
Can meralgia be a paraesthetic?
Due to the different causes of meralgia paraesthetica, there can be slightly different symptoms, so make sure that you give an accurate description of the pain, when it is at its worst and what (if anything) seems to alleviate the pain. This can simply help ensure that the root cause is diagnosed as soon as possible.