From the Guidelines
Meralgia paresthetica is the nerve entrapment syndrome that can cause pain in the anterior thigh. This condition is characterized by the compression or entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which is a terminal branch of the lumbar plexus, specifically the L2 and L3 nerve roots 1. The lumbar plexus terminal branches, including the femoral nerve, supply motor and sensory innervation to the muscles of the anterior and medial thigh. Patients with meralgia paresthetica typically experience burning pain, numbness, tingling, or hypersensitivity in the anterolateral thigh region. Some key points to consider in the diagnosis and management of meralgia paresthetica include:
- The condition is often unilateral and may be exacerbated by prolonged standing, walking, or hip extension
- Common causes include tight clothing, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, or direct trauma to the area
- Treatment typically begins with conservative measures such as weight loss, avoiding tight clothing, NSAIDs for pain relief, and physical therapy
- In persistent cases, local anesthetic or corticosteroid injections may provide relief The anatomical basis for this syndrome involves compression of the purely sensory lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which is why motor function remains intact while sensory symptoms predominate in the distribution of this nerve on the anterior and lateral thigh 1.
From the Research
Nerve Entrapment Syndrome Causing Pain in the Anterior Thigh
- Meralgia paresthetica is a rare sensory entrapment neuropathy that can cause burning, tingling, and numbness in the antero-lateral aspect of the thigh 2.
- The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is the nerve responsible for this condition, and its entrapment can lead to pain in the anterior thigh 3, 4.
- Meralgia paresthetica is characterized by paresthesias, pain, and sensory loss of the anterior and lateral thigh, and treatment options include medical management, surgery, and newer technologies such as peripheral nerve stimulation 3, 4.
- The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve is not typically associated with pain in the anterior thigh, but rather with posterior thigh pain, and is more commonly related to piriformis syndrome 5.
- Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome is another condition that can cause pain, but it is typically associated with pain in the pelvic region rather than the anterior thigh 6.