What is Meralgia Paresthetica?

Meralgia paresthetica is a disorder characterized by tingling, numbness, and burning pain in the outer side of the thigh.  The disorder is caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a sensory nerve to the skin, as it exits the pelvis. People with the disorder often notice a patch of skin that is sensitive to touch and sometimes painful. Meralgia paresthetica should not be associated with weakness or radiating pain from the back.

Is there any treatment?

Treatment for meralgia paresthetica is symptomatic and supportive. The majority of cases improve with conservative treatment by wearing looser clothing and losing weight.  In a few cases, in which pain is persistent or severe, surgical intervention may be indicated.

Dr. Luciano Di Loreto & Associates use a variety of soft tissue therapy, massage therapy, graston and heat/ice therapy techniques to assist with reducing the compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve.

What is the prognosis?

Meralgia paresthetica usually has a good prognosis. In most cases, meralgia paresthetica will improve with conservative treatment or may even spontaneously resolve. Surgical intervention is not always fully successful. Dr. Luciano Di Loreto & Associates use a variety of soft tissue therapy techniques to assist with reducing the compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve.

Credit to the NINDS