Differential Diagnosis for Anteromedial Thigh Pain after Thighplasty
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Surgical site infection or wound complication: This is a common complication after thighplasty, and anteromedial thigh pain could be a symptom of an underlying infection or wound issue, such as a seroma or hematoma.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Nerve injury or neuropathy: The anteromedial thigh is innervated by the femoral nerve and the medial femoral cutaneous nerve, which can be injured during thighplasty, leading to pain and sensory changes.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Immobility and surgical trauma can increase the risk of DVT, which can cause pain and swelling in the thigh.
- Lymphedema: Thighplasty can disrupt lymphatic drainage, leading to lymphedema, which can cause pain, swelling, and heaviness in the affected limb.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Compartment syndrome: A rare but potentially life-threatening complication of thighplasty, compartment syndrome can cause severe pain, swelling, and paresthesias in the affected limb.
- Pulmonary embolism: A DVT can break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal if not promptly treated.
- Infection with necrotizing fasciitis: A rare but deadly infection that can occur after surgery, necrotizing fasciitis can cause severe pain, swelling, and skin necrosis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Saphenous nerve entrapment: The saphenous nerve can be entrapped or injured during thighplasty, leading to pain and sensory changes in the anteromedial thigh.
- Femoral artery pseudoaneurysm: A rare complication of thighplasty, a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm can cause pain, swelling, and a palpable mass in the anteromedial thigh.
- Liposuction-related fat embolism: A rare but potentially life-threatening complication of liposuction, fat embolism can cause respiratory distress, neurological symptoms, and petechiae.