Differential Diagnosis for Right Lateral Thigh Numbness, Recent Right Hip Surgery, Left Anterior Pelvic Pain, and Intermittent Swelling of Left Knee
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Meralgia paresthetica: This condition is characterized by numbness or tingling in the outer part of the thigh and could be related to the recent hip surgery, which might have affected the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The symptoms on the opposite side (left anterior pelvic pain and intermittent swelling of the left knee) could be unrelated or referred pain.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Lumbar radiculopathy: Given the history of hip surgery and the presence of numbness, it's possible that there's nerve root irritation in the lumbar spine affecting the thigh. The left-sided symptoms could be due to a different nerve root or a separate issue.
- Trochanteric bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy: Although the primary complaint is numbness, these conditions could cause pain and swelling, potentially explaining some of the symptoms, especially if the hip surgery has altered gait or put additional stress on the hip and knee.
- Referred pain from lumbar spine or hip: The pain and swelling in the left knee could be referred from issues in the lumbar spine or the right hip, given the recent surgery.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Although less likely given the duration of symptoms, DVT could cause swelling and pain, especially in the context of recent surgery and potential immobilization.
- Osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis: This is a potential complication of hip surgery, especially if there was disruption to the blood supply. It could cause pain in the hip and potentially refer pain to the knee.
- Infection or abscess: A late infection after hip surgery could cause pain, swelling, and systemic symptoms. Although less common, it's critical to rule out given the potential severity.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Neurogenic tumor: A tumor affecting the nerves could cause numbness and pain, although this would be less common and typically associated with other systemic symptoms or findings on examination.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): This condition could follow surgery and cause chronic pain, swelling, and changes in skin temperature and color, but it's relatively rare and would require specific diagnostic criteria to be met.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Conditions like diabetic neuropathy or other systemic neuropathies could cause numbness but would typically have a more widespread distribution of symptoms and associated systemic findings.