Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Syndrome (Meralgia Paresthetica)
What is it: Compression or entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve causing a numbness or dysethesia of the later and anterior thigh.
How does it present: Patients may present with complaints of pain, burning, or numbness over the lateral and anterior thigh. The nerve is most often compressed at the level of the anterior superior iliac spine and obesity, pregnancy and wearing tight clothing or belt may be causative. A history of trauma to that area may also be elicited.
Common exam findings: Numbness or parasthesias may be eliciting in the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Compression of the nerve at the level of the ASIS may reproduce symptoms.
Tests and treatment: Radiographic studies are generally not needed to make the diagnosis, but may be helpful if other causes of the symptoms need to be ruled out. Removing the source of nerve compression often relieves symptoms. Corticosteroid injection may help relieve symptoms and surgical release of the nerve is an option for persistent symptoms.