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Meralgia Paresthetica (MP), Sports Medicine

Amanda Babcock, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Entrapment or compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) (at inguinal ligament) causes anterolateral thigh pain and paresthesia.

  • The LFCN is completely sensory, thus th...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Burning, tingling, numbness in anterolateral thigh

  • May worsen with prolonged standing and walking and improve with sitting

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Diagnosis is often clinical.

  • Overall, there is a p...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Objective evidence for treatment is weak.

  • Weight loss

  • Protect area.

  • Avoid compression activities or clothing.

  • Physical therapy such as stretching exercises for the hip and abdomi...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • According to a Cochrane Data review, there are no randomized control trials (RCTs) to guide treatment or prognosis; however, some high-quality observational studies showed 6:

  • 69% ...

REFERENCES

1
Harney D, Patijn J. Meralgia paresthetica: diagnosis and management strategies. Pain Med.  2007;8(8):669–677.
2
Cheatham SW, Kolber MJ, Salamh PA. Meralgia paresthetica: a review of the...

ADDITIONAL READING

Tagliafico A, Serafini G, Lacelli F, et al. Ultrasound-guided treatment of meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy): technical description and results of treatme...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • LFCN impingement leads to sensory symptoms or paresthesias in the anterolateral thigh.

  • Diagnosis is often clinical and based on history, but there is no strong evidence for current clin...

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