Meralgia paraesthetica

• Pain on the outer side of the thigh, occasionally extending to the outer side of the knee, usually constant.
• A burning sensation, tingling, or numbness in the same area
• Multiple bee-sting like pains in the affected area
• Occasionally, aching in the groin area or pain spreading across the buttocks
• Usually more sensitive to light touch than to firm pressure
• Hypersensitivity to heat (warm water from shower feels like it is burning the area)
• Occasionally, patients may complain of itching or a bothersome sensation rather than pain in the affected area.

The entire distribution of the nerve is rarely affected. Usually, the unpleasant sensation(s) affect only part of the skin supplied by the nerve.

Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh and other structures passing between the left inguinal ligament and ilium, frontolateral view of the right side of the pelvis.

The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve most often becomes injured by entrapment or compression where it passes between the upper front hip bone (ilium) and the inguinal ligament near the attachment at the anterior superior iliac spine (the upper point of the hip bone). Less commonly, the nerve may be entrapped by other anatomical or abnormal structures, or damaged by diabetic or other neuropathy or trauma such as from seat belt injury in an accident.

The nerve may become painful over a period of time as weight gain makes underwear, belting or the waistband of pants gradually exert higher levels of pressure. Pain may be acute and radiate into the rib cage, and into the groin, thigh, and knee. Alternately, weight loss or aging may remove protective fat layers under the skin, so the nerve can compress against underwear, outer clothing, and—most commonly— by belting. Long periods of standing or leg exercise that increases tension on the inguinal ligament may also cause pressure.

The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh can occasionally be damaged during laparoscopic hernia repair, or scarring from the operation can lead to meralgia paraesthetica.[5]

Diagnosis is largely based on patient description and relevant details about recent surgeries, hip injuries, or repetitive activities that could irritate the nerve. Examination checks for sensory differences between the affected leg and the other leg.

Differentiation of meralgia paraesthetica from a second lumbar root lesion remains the greatest problem in diagnosis and relies on the careful delineation of the paraesthetic area, the degree of numbness and a negative MR scan of the lumbar spine. Although the L2 area and the area supplied by the lateral cutaneous nerve correspond well laterally, the second root also contributes to the innervation of the groin and the inner aspect of the thigh. Furthermore, in L2 root lesions the analgesia is very slight because of the overlap between L2 and L3, whereas in lesions of the lateral cutaneous nerve, there is almost full anaesthesia, with a clear-cut border.

Accurate diagnosis may require an abdominal and pelvic examination to exclude problems in those areas.

Electromyographic (EMG) nerve-conduction studies may be required.

X-rays may be needed to exclude bone abnormalities that might put pressure on the nerve; likewise CT or MRI scans to exclude soft tissue causes such as a tumor.

Treatment varies. In most cases, the best treatment is to remove the cause of compression by modifying patient behavior, in combination with medical treatment to relieve inflammation and pain. Whatever the cause, typical treatment takes several weeks to months—depending on the degree of nerve damage. Typical treatment options include:

• Active Release Technique (ART) soft tissue treatment
• Wearing looser clothing and suspenders rather than belts
• Weight loss if obesity is present
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammatory pain if pain level limits motion and prevents sleep
• Reducing physical activity in relation to pain level. Acute pain may require absolute bed rest
• Deep tissue massage to reduce tension in the gluteal muscles, most commonly the gluteus maximus. The tensor fasciae latae may also be implicated.

For lower pain levels, treatment may involve having the patient:

• Seek appropriate physical therapy, such as stretching and massage, which plays a large role in the management of pain
• Learn to perform inguinal ligament stretching (from a physical therapist) which can rapidly relieve symptoms
• Use rest periods to interrupt long periods of standing, walking, cycling, or other aggravating activity
• Lose weight, and exercise to strengthen abdominal muscles[6]
• Wear clothing that is loose at the upper front hip area
• Apply heat, ice, or electrical stimulation[7]
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for 7–10 days[6]
• Remove hair in affected area (shave)
• Lidocaine patches (after shaving area)
• Titanium dioxide patches to interfere with the electrostatic effect of the nerves on the surface of the skin

Pain may take significant time (weeks) to stop and, in some cases, numbness persists despite treatment. In severe cases, the physician might perform a local nerve block at the inguinal ligament, using a combination of local anaesthetic (lidocaine) and corticosteroids to provide relief that may last several weeks.

Pain modifier drugs for neuralgic pain (such as amitriptyline, carbamazepine or gabapentin) may be tried,[7] but are often not as helpful in the majority of patients.[8]

Persistent and severe cases may require surgery to decompress the nerve[8] or, as a last resort, to resect the nerve.[7] The latter treatment leaves permanent numbness in the area.

• Meralgia Paresthetica at eMedicine.com