Meralgia Paresthetica

[ELT]

Hi, all, I just read something which got me wondering about yet another annoying symptom which I asked my doctor about a couple of months ago.  It was a post in which someone mentionned something called meralgia paresthetica.  I have no idea which post it was now, or who wrote it.

I went to my gp with this, because I was concerned that I was injuring myself somehow.  For the last year, or so, I've had a pain, an ache, in the back middle to outer side of my right thigh.  (I mentionned this to my gp and neuro, ages ago)  In the last couple of months I have developed sharp pain in my upper thigh/hip and outer knee area.  I also get sharp pains in my groin area at times, when it's bad, and in my glutes.  It isn't constant, but, frequent.  It can be excrutiating one minute, then subside to no pain at all.

My doctor didn't examine me, he just said no, I wasn't causing myself an injury, and to keep up the exercising, as it was good for me.

So, is this yet another nerve pain?  I have lots of nerve pain in other areas of my body.  

Anyone out there with meralgia paresthetica who can describe what it feels like to me, please?

Thanks in advance,

Erica

[Claire_MHModerator]

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[hockeymom9794]

When this whole think stared I was told give it 6 months. I was also told it was my weight in last few weeks. Dr are just being lazy to find out the cause.
Please keep in mind if the Or table should have some kind of padding.

[hockeymom9794]

Complications: Unresolved Meralgia Paresthetica includes chronic pain and permanent tingling or numbness of the anterolateral thigh. However permanent numbness of the anterolateral thighs.  Source: Medical Disability Advisor      

Risk: Developing peripheral neuropathies:                        

[hockeymom9794]

did they run any test!

[hockeymom9794]

Meralgia paresthetica in both thighs. from surgery.
1 thigh had it. now I was told it is both.
Dr's are treat it it not a big deal.
Now there say it ok to drive bus! ok 72 kids
What do you think

[mnarbona]

My ife had meralgia paresthesica, and she hd surgery of the entramped nerve. This was about 2 or 3 months ago.
My wife continues to have same symptons, and do not know what to do. She was refered by the Dr. orthopedis, to a pain killer Dr., but this has nbot comes to any result.
What we can do about this.
Thanks
***@****

[MP_burns_bad]

Lol. That sounds like the best medicine. Just don't overdose on the sun. Have a great time. I wish you well.

[Fluffysmom]

I get to try a new treatment this week; I'm flying to Maui on Thursday and get to wear loose, casual clothes, float in a swimming pool, walk on the beach, watch whales from the balconey of the condo/timeshare that my best friend is sharing with me!

I'll eat lots of fresh papaya, fresh fish, healthy yummy food, and relax and enjoy.  No doctor's appointments, no physical therapy appts. (I'll try to remember to do my exercises), no rushing to do anything or stressing out.  Sigh!  I get 17 days of that treatment!

I hope you have a wonderful new year.  Take care,

Kathy

[MP_burns_bad]

Wow, you have my sympathy. I can't even imagine what your going through. As I said in my other post, I have an extreme respect for nerves. I wish you the best. Hope the new year brings you new relief.

[Fluffysmom]

My sacroilliac joint moves more than it should; the tissue that connects it is damaged from that old injury, and there is no way to fix that.  Because of it, the whole pelvic girdle is unstable, and can "catch" in uncomfortable positions, causing muscle spasms, nerve entrapment, etc.

I'm trying to tighten up muscles, I've tried Prolotherapy injections, nothing helps much.

Someday I may see a neurosurgeon about that nerve release.  In the meantime, I'll keep trying my physical therapy exercises and wearing loose clothers.

Kathy

[MP_burns_bad]

Have you ever found out why your pelvis gets stuck? That shouldn't happen. Maybe if that were corrected your symptoms of MP would decline. Obviously, there is something that has not been corrected if the conditions have not diminished. As in my situation. I was told its all about time. My pelvic area was pinched causing the pinched nerves. The doctors said the nerves re-generate themselves at roughly an inch per month, so in my case from my waist to my knee is about 18 inches so in about 18 months my problems should go away. For the most part that has happened with the exception of minor needle pokes I feel and the extreme numbness in both outer thighs. The point I'm trying to make is why does your pelvis keep locking up? Have a good day.

[Fluffysmom]

My MP is most likely from hypermobility of my sacroilliac joint.  My pelvis rotates, and gets stuck slightly out of place, so that the pain is excruciating.  Originally, I think the damage was caused my a work injury in 1987, and has gradually worsened over the years.

My sacrum and pelvis easily go out of alignment now; my physical therapist can get things straightened out, I go get in my car, and they're out again.  I'm doing exercises to strengthen my core muscles, focusing on particular muscles to try to hold things in place.

The best thing would be if I could wear a stabilization belt, but that of course pinches my LFCN itself, causing the MP to flare up.

I'm hoping if I get a nerve release, I can wear the belt, lessen the unnatural movement, and slow down the progression of arthritis of my SI joints and hips.

I find myself questioning when the nerves in other parts of my body act up; is it from whatever neurological disorder I have, or is it from some irregularity in my body?  I also have an extreme respect for my nerves!

Kathy

[MP_burns_bad]

In my wildest dream I would never have thought after what I went through wih my shoulder, that, that was only the beginning of my suffering. I hope everything works out for you as well. I have an extreme respect for nerves since my experience. Do you know what caused your MP?

[Fluffysmom]

Oooh oooh!  Meralgia Parasthetica is so much easier to say than Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment!

Thanks for bringing this up!  I missed it back in March, as I had just joined the forum and was kind of befuddled.

I have had this pain on and off, mostly on, for years!  In 2002 a pain specialist suggested that it was LFCN entrapment.  I had one nerve block, which helped briefly, I think from the numbing medication.

Mine is so annoying and painful, my right thigh, front and side.  Maybe some of the groin pain, too, but I also have a hip labral tear on that side.

I've had to wear loose clothes for years, underwear at least a couple sizes bigger than my measurements suggest.

I've considered having a nerve release done, as the LFCN is a superficial nerve and the pain is anything but superficial!  I asked a neurologist about it, and he said that I should see a neuro-surgeon if I want to have the nerve release.

I'm glad your burning pain is gone.  I'll bet you'll make sure that you're never in a position again to have that flare up again. Who would have thought that shoulder surgery would pinch a nerve in your pelvic area?

From Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics:

- Meralgia Paresthetica:
    - entrapment syndrome of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve causing burning, numbness, and paresthesias down the
            proximal-lateral aspect of the thigh;
    - may be idiopathic, be a result of trauma, previous operations, and in some cases may arise from Perthes Disease abduction splints;
            - in idiopathic cases, the nerve may be encased in bone by the growing apophysis of the anterior superior iliac spine,
                  or may be entrapped in fascia either proximal or distal to the ASIS;
    - diagnosis is made by:
            - reproduction of the pain by deep palpation just below the anterior superior iliac spine and by hip extension;
            - relief of pain by localized injection of lidocaine;
    - treatment: when diagnosis is not in doubt and the symptoms are severe, consider operative decompression at the site of constriction

Another site said that it can be diagnosed with nerve conduction testing.

I already had the relief of pain by lidocaine, or marcaine, whichever one they used.

All very interesting.  I'll go back now and check out the links above...

Kathy

[MP_burns_bad]

I was diagnosed with MP back in Feb. 2007 after having surgery for a torn rotator cuff in my shoulder. Two doctors both stated they believed the positioning of the surgery "beach chair" postion contributed to the MP because the surgery is in the seated position putting pressure on the pelvic area. being in this position for 2-1/2 hours. Anyway, my suffering consisted of exactly as you described, like some just slammed a knife right into my thigh. But the worst was I DID experience "EXTREME" burning not just simply burning to both thighs. Thank god that is all behind me now however I still get slight needle ***** feelings almost daily as well as complete numbness to both outer thighs. I've been told the numbness will probably be for life since it has been almost two years now, but I can live with that. Thank god the burning is gone. I have never ever experienced such pain a I did with the burning pain. Whenever someone tells me they have had burning in the past, just from their tone I know they have no idea of the excruciating burning I suffered. Good luck toyou and your husband.

[Freespirit24]

I do not think Doctors like to be challenged even when they know they are wrong. We have to work around them, or simply stand our ground and insist on what we need or seek a New Doctor.  With the internet Doctors have to very careful what they throw out there to us patients as a great number of us do research. My Dr even wrote down the name of this MP for me so I could research.............he obviously felt pretty secure he was right but I am not so certain unless it can also be cause by something other than a pinched nerve and something. that can occur on both side of the body.

I am cautious about challenging them too much because they are not open a lot of them to other possibilities presented by you. I would get a second medical opinion.

Hugs

sarah

[monotreme]

Hi Sarah,
   Yes, people have to be their own advocate.  I am a nurse and challenged the doctors on that diagnosis, but it was to no avail.  

  But I will keep on looking for answers.
  Thanks,
   Elaine

[Freespirit24]

I do hope you sort it out let us know what comes of it. I think we have to check up on what Doctors tell us even if they are specialists. I always try to research things I am told by Doctors so I can be informed.

You have to be your own advocate these days don't you.

all the best

sarah

[monotreme]

Sarah,
   THANK YOU!!!!!!!!   That description from the Mayo Clinic is nothing like what Craig has and the fact that both neurologists said there is no cure and could not tell him the cause has always made me think that we were being given the "run around".  Craig definitely has it on both legs and it is a cutting stabbing pain, not a burning pain and not numbness.  It is also accompanied by muscle spasms.

   I wouldn't be surprised if it is all part of his undiganosed neurological disease.

  Thank you again.  This helps me to put more pieces of the puzzle together.

  Elaine

[pete121]

I have it in both legs, my GP says it is not Meralgia paresthetica due to the fact that it is both legs which are affected. Mine is like burning hot fluid has being poured on my thighs. Right leg is marginally worst than left. No real groin pain more an ache than any burning in the groin. Spine is in terrible pain middle to lower.  

[Freespirit24]

I was just told I  have M P it is nothing like you describe above at all. I am not sure if mine is really this or not but i do have burning pain and it does feel like other nerve pain I have elsewhere. Seeing this post made me reply because I was curious. This is from the Mayo Clinic:

Introduction

Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of your thigh. The cause of meralgia paresthetica is compression of a nerve — the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — that supplies sensation to the skin surface of your upper leg.

Common causes of this nerve compression include tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy. Meralgia paresthetica can also be due to nerve injury, from a disease such as diabetes or from trauma.

Treatment for meralgia paresthetica is directed at relieving the compression and usually consists of self-care measures, such as wearing looser clothing or losing weight. In severe cases of meralgia paresthetica, treatment may include medications to treat the discomfort or, rarely, surgery.

Signs and symptoms

Pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper leg, may cause the following symptoms of meralgia paresthetica:

    * Tingling and numbness in the outer part of your thigh
    * Burning pain in or on the surface of the outer part of your thigh
    * Less commonly, dull pain in the groin area or across your buttocks

These symptoms commonly occur only on one side of your body and may intensify after walking or standing.

here is the link where I found the above info

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meralgia-paresthetica/DS00914/DSECTION=2

another site

http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/10/17/01.html

The patient with meralgia paresthetica may complain of a dull ache, itching, numbness, tingling, or burning sensation over the lateral and anterolateral thigh.1-6 The pain associated with this condition may vary in intensity from mild to very severe and frequently occurs following activity with relief following rest.

My pain sounds similar to that described...............but it states in all references to MP that I have read it occurs on one side of the body only so I am beginning to doubt my pain is from MP but do still think it is nerve pain as the othe thigh has similar burning and i have it elsewhere in my body.

Hope this helps

sarah

[monotreme]

Hi Erica,
   My husband Craig was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica.   He describes it as a tightening of the outer thigh muscle accompanied with a stabbing pain, like a knife is cutting him.  It is brought on by standing.  Neither a NJ neurologist nor Dr. Morrow said what causes it and there is no cure for it.  They also told him he will have it forever.

   Craig said that the m.p. pain is different from the nerve pains he gets.  the nerve pains he gets feels like someone is stabbing a syringe needle through the soles of his feet or though his fingers, or through his spine etc.  So the pain is definitely different.

  The m.p. pain does not go anywhere else except the thigh muscles.

  I hope this helps.  I admire you for continuing to exercise through the pain.

  Elaine