MERALGIA PARESTHETICA IS A MONONEUROPATHY OF THE LATERAL FEMORAL CUTANEOUS NERVE THAT CAN LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT DISABILITY WHEN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT IS DELAYED OR MISSED. THIS CONDITION IS RELATIVELY COMMON BUT IS FREQUENTLY MISTAKEN FOR OTHER DISORDERS.
Meralgia Paresthetica is a condition associated with pain on the lateral aspect of the upper leg. It presents itself with numbness and burning/shooting pain. Injury to the lateral femoro-cutaneous nerve is considered to be the cause of this syndrome. Obesity, wearing a heavy belt, and trauma has been implicated in injuring the nerve.
Treatment for Meralgia Paresthetica includes physical therapy, weight loss, and NSAID’s. In selected cases, injections to the nerve with local anesthetics and depo-medrol may be effective. If that fails, your doctor may recommend epidural injections.
