Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh becomes trapped in the groin area.
Obesity and obstructive respiratory disease with a chronic cough increase susceptibility.
The disorder affects men three times as often as women.
Symptoms
The primary symptom is paresthesia, or numbness in the thigh. The numbness may include burning, stinging, tingling, prickling, or a feeling “like pins and needles.”
In the early stages symptoms are mild and intermittent. They are aggravated by standing or walking and relieved by lying down.
In advanced stages, paresthesia develops into shooting pains that are unaffected by position change.
Symptoms tend to regress spontaneously, but recurrence is common
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the patient’s medical history and evidence of sensory loss strictly within the area of the thigh served by the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
Treatment
Non-surgical
They include eliminating clothing or accessories that may cause compression; weight loss and exercise to strengthen abdominal muscles; and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
These measures bring relief in approximately 90 percent of cases and should be tried prior to considering surgery.
Surgery
Decompression of the nerve.
Division of the nerve (neurectomy)
More effective at relieving pain.
Leaves permanent numbness in the area supplied by the nerve
