What causes Meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica is a neurologic disorder characterized by paresthesias and numbness in the anterolateral thigh, typically caused by pressure on …
How does Meralgia paresthetica affect the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
Meralgia paresthetica is a mononeuropathy of the femoral cutaneous nerve with characteristic findings, usually secondary to injury or compression, being most common in the inguinal area. Exceptional cases associated with compressions caused by abdominal or pelvic tumors have been published, so it is always advisable to extend the study with imaging tests.
Does Meralgia paresthetica show up on Xray?
Apr 18, 2014 · Meralgia paresthetica has been reported to be secondary to local compression by pelvic and intra-abdominal tumors including uncommon presentations, such as lipoma, 2 renal carcinoma 4 and hemangiomatosis. 5 This is the first reported case of MP presenting with a desmoid tumor. Desmoid tumors are neoplasms arising from myofibroblasts typically seen …
What is the difference between desmoid and Meralgia paresthetica?
Can a tumor cause Meralgia Paresthetica? Meralgia paresthetica has been reported to be secondary to local compression by pelvic and intra-abdominal tumors including uncommon presentations, such as lipoma,2 renal carcinoma4 and hemangiomatosis. Click to see full answer. In this manner, what happens if Meralgia Paresthetica goes untreated?
What disease causes meralgia paresthetica?
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. However, meralgia paresthetica can also be due to local trauma or a disease, such as diabetes.16-Jan-2020
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.
Can a lipoma cause meralgia paresthetica?
Lipomas can also cause meralgia paresthetica (pain or dysthesia in the lateral thigh caused by entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve underneath the inguinal ligament).
Is meralgia paresthetica life threatening?
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.
Is meralgia paresthetica a disability?
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.
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.
How long does it take to recover from meralgia paresthetica?
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
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
When should I be concerned about thigh pain?
Thigh pain with redness, swelling, and warmth of your skin. This may be a sign of a blood clot and requires immediate medical attention. A muscle strain or tear may cause your thigh to look deformed. A visit to an orthopedic surgeon may be needed to accurately diagnose and treat your condition.29-Nov-2021
What nerve is encircled by a desmoid tumor?
Tumor is encircled with the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at the superior and posterior border. Needle core biopsy showed the mass to be skeletal muscle fibers diffusely infiltrated with spindle cells composed of fusiform and stellate fibroblasts consistent with desmoid tumor.
What is MP in a thigh?
Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), a purely sensory nerve to the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Patients with MP present with paresthesias and pain in this region.
What is the name of the nerve that supplies sensation to the anterolateral portion of the thigh?
Meralgia paresthetica is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that supplies sensation to the anterolateral portion of the thigh. Compression of this nerve can lead to paresthesias and neuropathic pain. It is commonly associated with pregnancy, obesity, trauma or diabetes mellitus. Here we present a case of meralgia paresthetica ...
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 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 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 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.
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 meralgia paresthetica worsen after walking?
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 cutaneous nerve, a sensory nerve to the skin on the outer thigh. Compression may be associated with various causes ...
What causes a burning sensation in the outer thigh?
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 cutaneous nerve, a sensory nerve to the skin on the outer thigh. Compression may be associated with various causes such as wearing tight clothing or a heavy tool belt, diabetes, nerve injury during local or regional surgery, weight gain, pregnancy, seatbelt injury, or rarely, a mass pressing on the nerve. [2] [3] [4] [5] Treatment is based on the symptoms and severity in each person. Treatment for mild symptoms may include removing the cause of nerve compression, which may involve weight loss or wearing loose clothing. More severe pain may require a nerve block to temporarily relieve symptoms. Neurogenic pain medications (such as carbamazepine or gabapentin) typically are not as helpful but rarely relieve symptoms. People with very severe pain which is not relieved by nerve block may need to have surgery to release the nerve. [1] [2] [4]
Overview
- Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in your outer thigh. 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. However, meralgia paresthetica can also be due t…
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 the groin to the upper thigh without trouble. …
Diagnosis
- In most cases, your doctor can make a diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica based on your medical history and a physical exam. He or she might test the sensation of the affected thigh, ask you to describe the pain, and ask you to trace the numb or painful area on your thigh. Additional examination including strength testing and reflex testing might be done to help exclude other ca…
- Patients normally undergo tests such as X-ray imaging to rule out other conditions that might mimic meralgia paresthetica. If you are pregnant, however, your doctor is more likely to conduct orthopedic tests instead. For instance, a Kemp test, which your doctor can perform while you're sitting or standing, checks for abnormalities in your spinal discs. The Ely test, performed while y…
Treatment
- For most people, the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica ease in a few months. Treatment focuses on relieving nerve compression.
- It depends on which of these factors may be contributing to your symptoms. If the cause is due to tight-fitting clothing, belts, or work belts, then modifying these garments should alleviate your symptoms. Patients who are pregnant usually have complete resolution of their symptoms after delivery. If recent weight gain is thought to contribute to the condition, then a weight loss progra…
Management
- The evidence base for the treatment of meralgia paraesthetica is weak; randomised controlled trials are needed. 1. In the case of obesity, loss of weight may cure the condition but is not guaranteed. It should resolve after pregnancy and tapping of ascites should help. 2. Idiopathic meralgia paraesthetica usually improves with non-operative modalities, such as removal of com…
Lifestyle And Home Remedies
- The following self-care measures can help treat and prevent meralgia paresthetica: 1. Avoid wearing tight clothing. 2. Maintain a healthy weight, or lose weight if you're overweight.
Symptoms
- People who have meralgia paresthetica may complain of some or all of the following symptoms: The symptoms may be transient (meaning they come and go) or they may be persistent. In some people, they are hardly noticeable, and in others they are very bothersome. Most people say that while they don't like the symptoms, it does not impact their life or activities or cause significant …
- 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 thighThese symptoms commonly occur on one side of your body and might intensify after walking or standi…
Epidemiology
- An incidence has been estimated at 4.3 per 10,000 person years. It occurs most commonly in people between the ages of 30 to 40 years. The condition is thought to be much rarer in children. It has a higher predilection in men than in women.
Prognosis
- Most cases are self-limiting. However, although paraesthesia tends to resolve over time, numbness can persist.
Risk Factors
- The following might increase your risk of meralgia paresthetica: 1. Extra weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the pressure on your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. 2. Pregnancy. A growing belly puts added pressure on your groin, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes. 3. Diabetes. Diabetes-related nerve injury can lead to meralgia paresthetica. 4. Ag…