Common Causes
To perform a lunge:
- Stand up straight with the hands at the sides of the body.
- Take a big step forward with the right leg, and place both hands on the hips. ...
- Lower the body until the right thigh is parallel to the floor, and the right shin is vertical. ...
- Repeat the exercise 15 times, then switch to the other leg.
- Do 3 sets of lunges on each side once or twice a day.
Related Conditions
Three meralgia paresthetica exercises
- Standing psoas muscle stretch The psoas muscle extends from the lower back across the pelvis to the top of the leg. ...
- Clamshell This exercise strengthens the hip stabilizers. To perform the exercise: Lie on the left side with both feet together and the knees at a 45-degree angle to the ...
- Lunges
What are some of the best exercises for Meralgia paresthetica?
The treatment possibilities for meralgia paresthetica include:
- Weight Loss.
- Myofascial Release.
- Chiropractic Adjustment.
- Accupuncture.
- Corrective Flexibility.
- Corrective Strength Training.
- Physical Therapy.
What can I do for Meralgia paresthetica?
Prognosis depends on the cause of the meralgia paraesthetica. If it is caused by something reversible, such as tight clothing, symptoms often recover quickly once this is addressed. The abnormal sensations usually get better over time, but the numbness may persist.
How to effectively treat Meralgia paresthetica?
What is the prognosis of Meralgia paresthetica?
Can meralgia paresthetica be bilateral?
It is usually unilateral, but up to 20% of patients can develop bilateral meralgia paresthetica. Most cases are idiopathic. Damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve can also occur as a result of trauma or surgical procedures.
Does meralgia paresthetica affect both legs?
The condition can, occasionally, affect both sides at the same time (about 1 in 5 cases). Examination might show altered sensation in the area of skin supplied by the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh.
What causes bilateral meralgia paresthetica?
It's caused by compression of the nerve that provides sensation to the skin covering your thigh. 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.
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.
Should I go to the ER for meralgia paresthetica?
In some cases, meralgia paresthetica can be a serious condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. 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.
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).
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 meralgia paresthetica unilateral or bilateral?
Symptoms are typically unilateral. However, they may be bilateral in up to 20% of cases. Walking or standing may aggravate the symptoms; sitting tends to relieve them.
How is severe meralgia paresthetica treated?
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.
Can back issues 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.
How long does it take for meralgia paresthetica to go away?
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.
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.
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.
How to treat 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 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 ...
What causes lateral femoral nerve to pass through?
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 gro in, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes. Diabetes. Diabetes-related nerve injury can lead to meralgia paresthetica. Age.
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 ...
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.
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 ...
How to diagnose meralgia paresthetica?
Your doctor diagnoses meralgia paresthetica by reviewing your medical and surgical history. He or she will ask you questions about the types of belts and clothing you wear for work and recreation. Your doctor will also ask about your possible exposure to lead and your alcohol use. A thorough physical examination will be performed including a hands-on test called a pelvic compression test, in which the doctor applies pressure on your thigh to rule out other causes of your symptoms. Other light touch and reflex tests may also be performed.
What nerve causes meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica results from pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
What nerve is involved in lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
Meralgia paresthetica results from the compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The LFCN is a large sensory nerve. It travels from your spinal cord through your pelvic region and down the outside of your thigh. Meralgia paresthetica symptoms occur when the LFCN is compressed (squeezed).
Can meralgia paresthetica recover?
Most people with meralgia paresthetica recover completely with treatment.
Can lateral femoral nerve be compressed?
Rarely, surgery is necessary to correct any compression on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Surgery is usually only recommended for people who try other treatments but still experience symptoms.
Where does pain go on the outer thigh?
Pain on the outer thigh, which may extend down to the outer side of the knee
Can meralgia cause burning?
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.
Why do you choose Johns Hopkins?
Meralgia Paresthetica: Why Choose Johns Hopkins 1 Proper diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica requires the expert attention of an experienced physician to determine the cause and an appropriate treatment plan, including a surgical option if required. 2 Our supportive team approach, along with specialized physical therapy and rehabilitation, can relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. 3 For more than 30 years, patients have come from around the world to Johns Hopkins for care of their peripheral nerve problems.
What is the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica?
Proper diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica requires the expert attention of an experienced physician to determine the cause and an appropriate treatment plan, including a surgical option if required.
How to reduce swelling in hips?
Wearing less restrictive clothing. Weight loss. An injection of a corticosteroid to reduce swe lling.
Can a transposition of the nerve cause numbness?
Other operations can transpose the nerve, moving it to a position where it is less likely to become pinched. Transection, or cutting the nerve, can relieve the pain of meralgia paresthetica, but result in lasting numbness.
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.
What causes numbness in the thigh?
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 do you know if you have a swollen thigh?
You may have any of the following: 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.
Can you feel your legs?
You cannot feel or move your legs.
Why is mononeurapathy misdiagnosed?
Meralgia paresthetica (MP), a common condition seen by both primary care physicians and specialists, is easily misdiagnosed because it can mimic other disease processes. Often, merely the awareness of the condition and knowledge of a few key differentiating ...
What causes LFCN nerve impingement?
The most common cause of impingement of the LFCN is entrapment of the nerve under the inguinal ligament (Figure 2), which can occur spontaneously or develop after an injury. 1 Causes of LFCN nerve entrapment can be divided into 3 categories: mechanical, metabolic, and iatrogenic.
How to treat MP?
Three approaches to surgical treatment of MP include: neurolysis of constricting tissue, neurolysis and displacement of LFCN, and excision of part of the LFCN. 13 A study by Son et al examined the effectiveness of neurolysis as a means of treating persistent MP. The study found the technique provided complete relief in 81.8% of patients and partial relief in 18.2% of patients.22 LFCN decompression can be performed surgically with a 2- to 3-cm incision inferior to the ASIS along the line of the inguinal ligament. Careful blunt dissection of the fascial planes can identify the LFCN and allow the surgeon to follow it towards the inguinal ligament. At the point where the LFCN meets the inguinal ligament, the ligament is divided to decompress the nerve. 12 Surgical management typically is the last option for treatment of MP; again conservative measures should be performed first in the treatment plan.
How to diagnose MP?
A nerve test (blockade) may be both diagnostic and therapeutic in patients suspected of having MP. Using a nerve stimulator, the LFCN can be located and injected with a local anesthetic. Relief of the numbness and pain confirms the diagnosis of MP. Newer methods of conducting nerve blocks include landmark-based and ultrasound-guided techniques. 14 The landmark approach can present a challenge because the normal course of the LFCN and anatomy can vary in patients. This method involves insertion of a needle, 2.5 cm medial to the ASIS and caudal to the inguinal ligament. Lidocaine can be injected when a “loss of resistance” or “pop” is felt as the needle goes through the fascial layer. 3,8,15
How to treat MP firsts?
The treatment of MP firsts consists of removing any underlying cause of the impingement (tight pants, belts, wallets, cellphone). This is followed by conservative treatment with oral anti-inflammatory medications. Typically, 85% of patients will have improved symptoms with conservative treatment alone. 19 Patients who are obese should be counseled to lose weight, which can aid in resolution of their symptoms.
Is patellar tendon reflex normal?
The patellar tendon reflex will be normal, and a straight leg test also should be performed to rule out lumbar radiculopathy. 10 If a motor or sphincter dysfunction is present on exam, the patient’s symptoms likely are secondary to a spinal cord or nerve root lesion.
How does meralgia paresthetica work?
Usually, there is enough room to permit easy passage. In meralgia paresthetica, swelling, trauma, or pressure can narrow these openings and squeeze the nerve.
What to ask a doctor about meralgia?
If your doctor suspects meralgia paresthetica, he or she will ask questions to help determine what might be putting pressure on the nerve.
What does it mean when your thighs burn?
Burning Thigh Pain (Meralgia Paresthetica) A painful, burning sensation on the outer side of the thigh may mean that one of the large sensory nerves to your legs—the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN)—is being compressed. This condition is known as meralgia paresthetica (me-ral'-gee-a par-es-thet'-i-ka).
What is meralgia paresthetica?
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. All patients were initially treated conservatively, and this yielded long-lasting improvement in five patients. The remaining patients did not respond adequately to medical management. Seven of these patients subsequently opted for surgical management, and all had long-term relief of symptoms in follow-up lasting 3 to 6 years.
How old is a person with meralgia?
Meralgia has been described in patients from 1 to 80 years of age, but most cases have occurred between the ages of 30 and 65. 18Ecker and Woltman, 19Stookey, 10Aird, 20Brain, 21Chhuttari et al, 22Kitchen and Simpson, 23and Huddleson 24all reported a male predominance. Rosenheck 3noted an equal distribution between the sexes in his series, whereas King, 25Rhodes, 26and Williams and Trzil 11reported a female predominance. In the present series, 10 of the 14 patients were female.
What is conservative management for meralgia?
Conservative management consisting of local analgesics, steroids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, rest, and reduction or elimination of aggravating factors yielded long-lasting improvement in five patients with meralgia paresthetica. Nine patients with 10 cases of meralgia paresthetica did not benefit in the long term from conservative management. Seven of these patients, representing eight cases of meralgia paresthetica, ultimately opted for surgical management, and all obtained good long-term relief of symptoms.
Is meralgia paresthetica a clinical diagnosis?
The diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica is primarily clinical. Nerve conduction velocity testing has been used 30,31but generally has been ineffective because of the difficulty in obtaining sensory potentials for the nerve. Gateless et al 32reported a qualitative difference in contact thermograms in six patients with meralgia paresthetica when compared with six controls. I have no experience with this technique and am not aware of any other reports concerning thermography in the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have been ineffective in visualizing the affected portion of the LFCN but are helpful in ruling out more proximal pathology. The diagnosis can consistently and reliably be made by accurately mapping the area of dysesthesia, confirming the involvement of the LFCN by judiciously injecting a small amount of anesthetic at the site where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve exits the pelvis, and ruling out more proximal sources of L1, L2, or L3 nerve root involvement. Anesthetizing the LFCN is helpful in confirming the diagnosis and may be curative, but it is also useful in allowing the patient to experience the anticipated results of a nerve resection.
Can sitting help with meralgia?
Patients may have secondary hip, knee, and calf pain as they try to modify their activities to minimize the symptoms. Symptoms may be exacerbated when the hip is extended, and patients may avoid standing erect or may have difficulty sleeping. Sitting may relieve the symptoms in some patients but exacerbate them in others. Eventually, there may be no position that provides relief. Frequently patients have been treated for presumed back, hip, and groin pathology before meralgia paresthetica is correctly diagnosed. Patients often find it difficult to describe their symptoms and may come to believe that their problem is psychiatric.
Is meralgia paresthetica commonplace?
Numerous articles concerning meralgia paresthetica were published in the first half of this century; one author even prefaced his report with an apology for discussing “so commonplace a topic as meralgia paresthetica.”3Despite its early widespread recognition, meralgia paresthetica has since become an obscure diagnosis, and few practicing physicians seem to be aware of the condition or recognize the symptoms. The purpose of this paper is to review this condition briefly and present my experience with 14 meralgia paresthetica patients.
Is meralgia paresthetica a viable option?
Surgical management of meralgia paresthetica is a viable option for patients in whom medical management fails. Based on the published literature and the author’s experience, a rationale is presented for determining the appropriate surgical management of these patients.
What is leg paresthesia?
Leg paresthesia is a sensation of tingling (feeling of “pins and needles”) or burning in the leg that occurs without stimulation. It can result from a previous leg injury or pressure on a nerve in the leg. Other causes include damage to nerves in the leg from exposure to extreme heat or cold or to toxic compounds.
What other symptoms might occur with leg paresthesia?
Leg paresthesia may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the leg also involve other body systems.
What are the symptoms of paresthesia in the legs?
Leg paresthesia may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including: Changes in sensation. Difficulty walking. Extreme sensitivity to touch. Foot problems, such as ulcers and bone and joint pain. Impaired coordination. Muscle weakness. Nerve pain. Numbness or tingling in other areas of the body.
Why do my legs feel numb?
Damage to the peripheral nerves ( peripheral neuropathy) can also cause leg paresthesia. Peripheral neuropathy may be due to specific diseases or conditions, such as diabetes or alcoholism, that can affect nerve health, or it may have no known cause. In rare cases, when leg paresthesia is accompanied by numbness or weakness on one side of the body, it can be a sign of stroke.
What to do if you have a paresthesia on your leg?
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if a sudden leg paresthesia is accompanied by numbness or weakness on one side of your body; a change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness; or the worst head ache of your life, as these can be signs of stroke.
What does it mean when you have a stroke on one side of your leg?
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition. Sudden leg paresthesia accompanied by numbness or weakness on only one side of the body can be a sign of stroke. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have leg paresthesia along with other serious symptoms including:
What is the term for a disorder that causes dysfunction of nerves that lie outside your brain and spinal cord?
Peripheral neuropathy (disorder that causes dysfunction of nerves that lie outside your brain and spinal cord)