How to manage Meralgia paresthetica?
Exercises to Manage Meralgia Paresthetica 1. Quadriceps Stretch. Stand facing a wall with one hand on the wall for balance. While bending one leg at the knee,... 2. Lunges. Stand straight with your hands by your side. Take a large step forward and slowly bend your knees. Lower the... 3. Cat Camel ...
What is meralgia paraesthetica (MP)?
Meralgia Paraesthetica (MP), also known as Bernhardt-Roth or LFCN (lateral femoral cutaneus nervus) neuralgia, comes from the greek term meros algos meaning thigh pain. MP is caused by damage to the nervus cutaneus femoris lateralis (LFCN). The most common cause of damage to this nerve is entrapment at the level of the inguinal ligament.
When should I see a doctor for Meralgia paresthetica?
See your doctor if you have symptoms of meralgia paresthetica. 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.
How does Meralgia paresthetica affect the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
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. But in meralgia paresthetica, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve becomes trapped — often under the inguinal ligament,...
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.
What position is best for meralgia paresthetica?
The best option is to sleep on the side opposite the discomfort with a pillow between your legs. (If the burning is in your left thigh, sleep on your right side.) This can help ease the compression of the nerve enough to allow you to get to sleep.
How do you calm meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia Paresthetica TreatmentHeat, ice, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen for a few days.Weight loss.Wearing loose-fitting clothing, especially around your upper front hip.
Does meralgia paresthetica get worse with walking?
Meralgia paresthetica affects the skin on the outer thigh. Symptoms most commonly occur on one side of the body. They may worsen after standing or walking for a long period of time.
How do you release pressure from the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections or injectable pain medications may relieve symptoms. 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.
How do you Untrap the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve?
2:115:14Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Exercises | Meralgia ParestheticaYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut my right arm. Up turn and bend away. And then release. Forward turn and bend away. And releaseMorePut my right arm. Up turn and bend away. And then release. Forward turn and bend away. And release you can hold this in that position.
Is massage good for meralgia paresthetica?
If tightness is found in any of the hip flexors (hip flexor musculature is often locked short due to prolonged sitting postures at home and work), then moist heat, followed by soft tissue manipulation (massage) and stretching may be helpful; particular attention should be paid to the sartorius and tensor fasciae latae ...
Can sitting cause thigh pain?
Sedentary lifestyle Sitting for long periods can put pressure on the joints and muscles, particularly of the hips and legs. Lack of activity may also cause the muscles to weaken, triggering widespread muscle pain. People who have upper thigh pain due to a sedentary lifestyle may also feel pain throughout their body.
How do you live with meralgia paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica involves compression of the LFC nerve, causing numbness, tingling, or pain in the skin of the outer thigh. Most cases go away on their own or with conservative treatment, such as wearing looser clothing, losing weight if a doctor advises it, and becoming more active.
Can meralgia paresthetica be permanent?
Usually, meralgia paresthetica will resolve itself spontaneously or with lifestyle modifications such as wearing loose clothing. In cases in which meralgia paresthetica is painful, antiseizure or antidepressant medications that target the nervous system may be used.
What Is Meralgia Paresthetica?
What is meralgia paresthetica? And, what effect does it actually have on you and your health? Meralgia paresthetica is a condition in which there i...
Meralgia Paresthetica Symptoms
Meralgia paresthetica symptoms are pretty clear to recognize. The ailment can cause numbness and severe burning like pain in the outer thigh. The n...
Exercises to Manage Meralgia Paresthetica
Meralgia paresthetica is usually treated by managing the patient’s weight, pain medication and ultimately, exercise. The exercise can not only help...
Meralgia Paresthetica Treatment Tips
There are a few other things that you can do to help treat your meralgia paresthetica. Many of them are common sense. If you’ve ever had a pulled m...
Don’T Let Your Thigh Pain Drag You Down
Meralgia paresthetica can really drag you down. It can make it difficult to do many of your daily physical activities. It often makes walking an is...
How does a nerve conduction study work?
This test evaluates how well your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve sends electrical impulses to the surrounding muscles. To measure electrical impulses, your doctor places electrodes along the LFCN. These electrodes measure how fast the LFCN transmits impulses.
What causes a LFCN to compress?
These can include injury to the hip area; medical conditions like obesity, pregnancy, and diabetes; and wearing clothing that is too tight or belts in the waist area.
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).
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 is the test for lead in the pelvic area?
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.
What type of ultrasound is needed for uterine fibroids?
If you are a woman of childbearing age, your doctor may order a pelvic ultrasound. This test can rule out uterine fibroids, noncancerous growths in the uterus.
What Is Meralgia Paresthetica?
What is meralgia paresthetica? And, what effect does it actually have on you and your health? Meralgia paresthetica is a condition in which there is too much pressure on one of the nerves in your leg or other damage to a leg nerve. The term “pinched nerve” applies to meralgia paresthetica. This can also be a side effect of obesity as a large belly can cause that pressure on the nerves in question. And it is just as unpleasant as you may think it sounds as the symptoms that come with meralgia paresthetica are uncomfortable.
What to do if you pull a muscle in your thigh?
Medication. Certain medications like painkillers can help relieve some of the pain and pressure in your outer thigh. Aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen are all recommended to help out. 2. Weight loss.
How to get rid of a swollen thigh?
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Slowly raise the hips off the ground until the body is in a straight line, pushing the heels into the floor and squeezing the glutes at the top. Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds. Return to starting position and repeat.
Is surgery necessary for meralgia paresthetica?
In the very worst cases of meralgia paresthetica, surgery may be necessary. The surgery should relieve the pressure on the nerve and provide instant relief of any associated pain. That being said, surgery does carry the risks of infection and even possible nerve damage.
Can a corticosteroid shot help with meralgia?
While normally reserved for joint pain, a corticosteroid shot can help relieve the pain and pressure of meralgia paresthetica. This relief can be temporary and multiple shots may be required.
Can melagia paresthetica cause numbness?
Meralgia paresthetica symptoms are pretty clear to recognize. The ailment can cause numbness and severe burning like pain in the outer thigh. The numbness and pain are not mutually inclusive; you may just experience one of the symptoms as opposed to one occurring after another.
How long to hold a sprite?
Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds. Return to starting position and repeat.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
How to treat meralgia paresthetica?
Doctors and physical therapists may recommend exercises as a first-line treatment for meralgia paresthetica. These help stretch the muscles and tissues in the pelvis and thighs to prevent them from pressing on the LCF nerve.
What are some exercises to help with meralgia parasthetica?
This causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the outer thigh. Stretching and strengthening exercises may help release the nerve, thereby easing the symptoms of meralgia parasthetica.
What nerve causes tingling in the thigh?
Image credit: lzf/Getty Images. Meralgia paresthetica involves the compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous (LFC) nerve. This runs from the spine through the pelvis to the skin of the outer thigh. Any compression of the LFC nerve can cause symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in the skin of the outer thigh.
What causes tingling in the upper leg?
Meralgia pare sthetica involves the compression of a nerve in the upper leg. This causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the outer thigh. Stretching and strengthening exercises may help release the nerve, thereby easing the symptoms of meralgia parasthetica. Below, we describe what meralgia paresthetica is and what causes it.
How to stretch hips?
Or, if preferred, place the hands on the hips, as shown above. If touching the wall, keep the elbows fully extended, or keep them bent, if holding the hips, and gently lunge the pelvis toward the wall until you feel a stretch in the front of the hip.
What muscles do lunges strengthen?
Lunges stretch and strengthen many of the major muscles in the leg, including: the quadriceps, at the front of the thighs. the hamstrings, at the back of the thighs. the gluteal muscles, which make up the buttocks. In addition, lunges also help improve balance.
How to increase lunge intensity?
To increase the intensity of a lunge, a person may prefer to hold a weight in each hand. 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. If holding weights, keep both arms straight against the sides.
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.
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.
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 causes LFCN to be compressed?
2) by such conditions as obesity, pregnancy, ascites, tight garments, seat belts, braces, direct trauma, leg length changes, scoliosis, and muscle spasm. 11It may also be injured by lower abdominal and pelvic incisions, such as for appendectomies, 12iliac wing bone grafts, 13and Chiari pelvic osteotomies. 14The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve may also be compressed or injured within the pelvis, and cases have been reported in association with uterine myoma, cecal tumor, appendiceal abscess, 2retroperitoneal lipofibrosarcoma, 12and periostitis of the ilium. 2The recent surge in laparoscopic hernia repairs has resulted in a significant number of LFCN injuries within the pelvis. 15,16
Where does the LFCN exit?
The LFCN passes behind the psoas muscle and runs beneath the iliac fascia as it crosses the surface of the iliacus muscle. As the nerve approaches the anterior superior iliac spine, it pierces the iliac fascia and exits through a fibrous tunnel into the thigh. Roth noted that the nerve is vulnerable to pressure or stretching where it emerges beneath the psoas muscle, passes around the anterior superior iliac spine, courses through the fibrous canal of the fascia lata, and finally exits the fascia lata. 2The site at which the LFCN exits the pelvis varies, and symptoms of meralgia paresthetica have been reported with each of five known variants.
Where is the LFCN located?
The LFCN is most frequently found passing through the split lateral attachment of the inguinal ligament. As the nerve curves medially and inferiorly around the anterior superior iliac spine, it may be subjected to repetitive trauma in this fibroosseous tunnel. Nathan 8observed thickening of the LFCN at this level in 60% of his cadaver dissections and postulated that this was a direct response to chronic irritation.
What is the LFCN?
The LFCN is primarily a sensory nerve but also includes effer ent sympathetic fibers carrying vasomotor, pilomotor, and sudomotor impulses. 4It is quite variable and may be derived from several different combinations of lumbar nerves, including L2 and L3, L1 and L2, L2 alone, and L3 alone. 5The LFCN may be associated with the femoral nerve as it passes through the inguinal ligament or may anastomose with the femoral nerve distal to the inguinal ligament. Piersol 6reported that the LFCN may be partially or entirely derived from the adjacent genitofemoral or femoral nerve, and Keegan and Holyoke 7noted this variation in 30% of their cadaver dissections. On occasion, the LFCN is absent and may be replaced by a branch of the ilioinguinal nerve. 5
What nerve causes meralgia paresthetica?
And the condition itself is no picnic. Meralgia paresthetica is caused by the compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. That’s the nerve responsible for providing sensation to the front and side portions of your thigh.
How to stop burning sensation when sleeping?
For example, you might try kinesiology tape as a way to take pressure off of the compressed nerve.
Can surgery help meralgia?
Sometimes Surgery Is the Way to Go. These self-care options can sometimes provide relief and allow you to get the sleep you need. However, if conservative treatments are ineffective, surgically releasing the nerve so that it is no longer compressed might be the best option. Freeing the trapped nerve can offer lasting relief from meralgia ...
What is the best position to sleep with meralgia?
Meralgia paresthetica sleeping position – Sleep on to the opposite side of the pain and keep pillows between your legs.
What causes meralgia paresthetica?
Causes of meralgia paresthetica 1 Wearing tight clothes/jeans can cause meralgia paresthetica. 2 Excessive use of belts on hip region. 3 Weight gain, especially abdominal fat, compresses the nerve. 4 Pregnancy, due to excess growth of the uterus. 5 Postoperative damage of hernia surgery. 6 Trauma caused by the car’s seat belt. 7 Prolonged sitting, due to a sedentary lifestyle.
How to get rid of burning sensation in thighs?
Before going to the bed, roll a rolling pin on to your thighs tightly. Specifically, in the area of extreme numbness or burning sensation. What this would do is, it can restore the sensory function of the lateral femoral nerve and the burning sensation could go away.
How to stop inguinal ligament pain?
Sleep on to the opposite side of the pain and keep pillows between your legs. Add more pillows if needed, until your pain level falls. And, while sleeping in a supine position put the pillow below your back. All this will reduce tightness of the inguinal ligament, causing a reduction in pain.
How to reduce pain from groin ligament?
To reduce the pain, you need to decompress the particular nerve. Decompression of the nerve can be done by using K-Tek tape. You need to place the tape in the groin crease, which would help to lift the ligament compressing the nerve.
Why do pregnant women have meralgia?
Pregnant women are most susceptible to meralgia paresthetica, Due to enlarging the uterus.
Is meralgia paresthetica permanent?
Meralgia paresthetica is not a permanent condition. Rather, it can be curable, if patients go for a good treatment. Nowadays lots of medications, creams are available in the market to reduce the pain of meralgia paresthetica. Moreover, physiotherapy might help in reducing pain.
Clinically Relevant Anatomy
Epidemiology / Etiology
Characteristics / Clinical Presentation
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnostic Procedures
- The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) of the thigh is normally a branch of the posterior disunity of the L2 and L3 spinal nerves. It travels through the pelvis heading towards the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and exits the lesser pelvis below the inguinal ligament (IL), anterior to …
Outcome Measures
- Although spontaneous MP can occur in any age group, it is most frequently noted in 30 to 40 years old. It's incidence in children may be higher than previously recognized. One-third of all children treated for osteoid osteoma developed MP. There is yet no consensus whether there is sex or race predominance. But in one study that evaluated 150 cases of MP, there was a higher i…
Medical Management
- Patients may have symptoms like pain, burning, numbness, muscle aches, coldness, lightning pain or buzzing on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. As mention before, in “clinical relevant anatomy”, there it supplies sensory innervation to the skin of the anterolateral and lateral aspects of the thigh. The patient with MP will experience symptoms, superficial as well as deep tissue, i…
Key Research
- The differential diagnosis includes L3 lumbar radiculopathy or a femoral neuropathy, although both cause motor loss in addition to the sensory symptoms. Radiculopathy is a disease where a compressed nerve in the spine causes pain, numbness, tingling or a weakness along the course of the nerve. Femoral neuropathy occurs when you can’t move or feel your leg due to damaged ner…
Clinical Bottom Line
- The diagnosis of MP is usually clinical, based on the symptoms found at the coherent history and physically examination. Besides the examination, diagnosis can be based on other additional test like a nerve conduction test of the LFCN. It is very important to note that MP can sometimes occur in combination with certain red flags. These red flags can be the presence of a tumor or a hernia…