• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
bone and spine logo

Bone and Spine

Your Trusted Resource for Orthopedic Health Information

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Policies
  • Show Search
Hide Search
You are here: Home / Arthritis and joint disorders / Meralgia Paresthetica

Meralgia Paresthetica

Dr Arun Pal Singh ·

Last Updated on March 16, 2025

Meralgia paresthetica is an entrapment neuropathy of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve resulting in pain in the outer thigh.

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is a sensory nerve that supplies the lateral aspect of the thigh.

Meralgia paresthetica comes from the Greek words meros (thigh) and algos (pain).

The compression of the nerve commonly due to focal entrapment of this nerve as it passes through the inguinal ligament. Rarely. It can occur due to direct trauma, stretch injury, or ischemia.

The reported incidence of meralgia paresthetica is much higher in patients with diabetes mellitus than the normal population.

No gender predilection is seen.

It may occur at any age but middle-aged people are most commonly affected.

Contents hide
1 Pathophysiology of Meralgia Paresthetica
2 Clinical Presentation
2.1 Pelvic Compression Test
3 Causes of Meralgia Paresthetica
4 Investigations
5 Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica

Pathophysiology of Meralgia Paresthetica

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve originates directly from the lumbar plexus and is formed by nerve root innervation from L2-3. The nerve runs through the pelvis along the lateral border of the psoas muscle to the lateral part of the inguinal ligament.

It passes to the thigh through a tunnel formed by the lateral attachment of the inguinal ligament and the anterior superior iliac spine. The crossover into the thigh is the most common site of entrapment.

Clinical Presentation

Distribution of Meralgia Paresthetica
Distribution of Meralgia Paresthetica, Image Credit: Epain Assist

The main complaint of the patient is painful paresthesias and numbness of the upper lateral thigh area are the presenting symptoms.

Most cases affected on one side only. The symptoms are bilateral in up to 20% of cases.

The symptoms are aggravated by walking or standing and are relieved by sitting.

On examination, there is numbness of anterolateral thigh either in all or in parts. Some patients are found to be hyperesthetic [increased sensation]. The symptoms may be reproduced by tapping over the upper and lateral aspects of the inguinal ligament.

Extension of thigh also reproduces the symptoms. or extending the thigh posteriorly, which stretches the nerve, may reproduce or worsen the paresthesias.

Pelvic Compression Test

This is done by deep palpation of the anterior superior iliac spine. Deep palpation of anterior superior iliac spine reproduces the symptoms.

This test is considered very sensitive [93%] and specific [95%].

Causes of Meralgia Paresthetica

Following increase the risk

  • Tight clothing, belts, body armor
  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Malignancy
  • Iliopsoas hemorrhage

Investigations

Nerve conduction and electrodiagnostic studies are not routinely done.

The studies are contemplated when there is no identifiable risk factor, a mass lesion in retroperitoneal space or if back pain is also present.

The studies help to rule out upper lumbar radiculopathy.

Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica

The probable cause of the condition should be addressed.  The cause if could be removed is the best form of treatment.

Most of the patients have mild symptoms which could be treated by non-operative means.

Patients should be asked to wear loose clothing and advised to lose weight if obese.

Focal nerve block at the inguinal ligament with anesthetic agent and steroids relieve the symptoms temporarily for several days to weeks.

Carbamazepine or gabapentin may help in few patients but are often ineffective.

Surgical decompression is indicated in people who are not relieved by nerve blocks.

In spite of treatment, numbness may persist for some time.

Arthritis and joint disorders This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Arun Pal Singh, MBBS, MS (Orthopedics)

About Dr Arun Pal Singh

Dr. Arun Pal Singh is a practicing orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience in orthopedic surgery, specializing in trauma care, fracture management, and spine disorders.

BoneAndSpine.com is dedicated to providing structured, detailed, and clinically grounded orthopedic knowledge for medical students, healthcare professionals, patients and serious learners.
All the content is well researched, written by medical expert and regularly updated.

Read more....

Primary Sidebar

Know Your Author

Dr. Arun Pal Singh is an orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience in trauma and spine care. He founded Bone & Spine to simplify medical knowledge for patients and professionals alike. Read More…

Explore Articles

Anatomy Anatomy Fractures Fractures Diseases Diseases Spine Disorders Spine Disorders Patient Guides Patient Guides Procedures Procedures
featured image for orthopedics traction

Orthopedic Traction – Principles, Types, and Uses

Traction is a fundamental concept in orthopedics for managing …

featured image of gower sign for segmenatal instability of lumbar spine

Clinical Tests for Lumbar Segmental Instability

Lumbar segmental instability may not always be visible on standard …

mesurement of scoliosis for braces

Braces for Scoliosis- Types, Uses and Results

Braces for scoliosis are recommended to prevent the scoliotic curve …

discogenic back pain

Discogenic Back Pain Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Discogenic back pain is a common cause of axial low back pain [the …

Elbow arthrodesis using internal fixation

Elbow Arthrodesis- Indications, Methods and Complications

Elbow arthrodesis refers to the surgical fusion of the elbow joint. It …

Popular articles

discogenic back pain

Discogenic Back Pain Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Discogenic back pain is a common cause …

featured image for knee effusion article

Knee Effusion [Water On Knee] – Causes and Treatment

Knee effusion or swelling of the knee …

atypical spinal tuberculosis

Atypical Spinal Tuberculosis

Atypical spinal tuberculosis refers to …

posterior cruciate ligament injury

Posterior Cruciate Ligament injury or PCL Injury

Posterior cruciate ligament injury or …

Bone and Spine

© 2025 BoneAndSpine.com · All Rights Reserved
The content provided on BoneAndSpine.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Read Disclaimer in detail.