Meralgia paraesthetica



Clinical

  • Irritation of Lat. Cut. N. of Thigh (L2,L3, purely sensory) as it passes through inguinal ligament
  • Radicular type pain and or paraesthesia over the anterior and lateral thigh (worse on standing)

Diagnosis

  • Risks include middle age and diabetes
  • Dx clinical (DDx femoral neuropathy, lumbar plexopathy, lumbosacral disc/lesion)
  • Trigger point 1cm along inguinal lig. from ASIS
  • No motor signs
  • Rarely, conduction studies [requested by GP] are required to confirm

Treatment / prognosis

  • 70% cases resolve spontaneously in 1 year
  • Injections of steroid (± local anaesthetic) effective in 80%
  • Surgery (decompression or neurectomy) effective in 90%
  • 97% of patients with iatrogenic meraglia paraesthetica (3 studies) recovered completely


Content by Dr Íomhar O' Sullivan. Last review Dr ÍOS 31/10/22.