Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — which supplies sensation to the surface of your outer thigh — is pinched (compressed). The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve only affects sensation and doesn't affect your ability to use your leg muscles. Temporary symptom relief: Icing the area may help reduce nerve irritation and symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and topical medications such as capsaicin and lidocaine can also help symptoms. Common causes of this compression include any condition that increases pressure on the groin, including:

Physical therapy may help, but there’s limited research on its effectiveness in treating meralgia paresthetica. Nerve injury, which can be due to diabetes, trauma after surgery or seat belt injury after a motor vehicle accident, for example, also can cause meralgia paresthetica. Risk factors They’ll perform a thorough physical exam, including a hands-on test called a pelvic compression test. During this test, your provider will apply pressure on your thigh to rule out other causes of your symptoms. They may perform other light touch and reflex tests. Meralgia paresthetica results from the compression of your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Your LFCN is a large sensory nerve. It travels from your spinal cord through your pelvic region and down the outside of your thigh. This compression can happen due to swelling and inflammation, injury or pressure.

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A variety of factors causes compression of your LFCN, including external and internal causes. These can include: 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, which runs along your groin from your abdomen to your upper thigh. Medications: Medications like gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, phenytoin or carbamazepine may help treat neuropathic pain. Meralgia paresthetica doesn’t directly cause issues with your muscles or movement. What causes meralgia paresthetica?

Rarely, surgery is necessary to correct compression on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Healthcare providers usually only recommend surgery for people who try other treatments but still experience symptoms. Does meralgia paresthetica go away?Extra weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the pressure on your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Your provider will review your medical and surgical history. As several situations and conditions can cause meralgia paresthetica, they’ll ask many questions to try to determine the possible cause of your symptoms.

Symptoms of meralgia paresthetica only occur on one side of your body in the front of your upper thigh. They include: B vitamin levels for signs of vitamin B12 deficiency or folate deficiency, which can affect nerve function. Healthcare providers can typically diagnose meralgia paresthetica with a physical exam and a thorough understanding of your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle.Pregnancy. A growing belly puts added pressure on your groin, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes.

The majority of cases improve with conservative treatment, such as losing weight, wearing loose clothing or avoiding certain restrictive items like belts. Radiofrequency nerve ablation: This treatment uses radio waves to create a current that heats a small area of nerve tissue. The heat destroys that area of the nerve, stopping it from sending pain signals to your brain.

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