Meralgia Paresthetica, Numb in the Thigh Due Sandwiched

News Health Articles - Meralgia Paresthetica, Numb in the Thigh Due Sandwiched. Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain on the outside of the thigh. The cause of meralgia paresthetica is the pressure on the nerves that supply sensation to the skin surface of the thigh.

Tight clothing, obesity, and pregnancy is a common cause of meralgia paresthetica. Meralgia paresthetica can also be caused by local trauma or disease such as diabetes.



In most cases, meralgia paresthetica may subside with conservative measures, such as wearing loose clothing. In severe cases, treatment can use drugs to ease the discomfort until the surgery.

Symptom

Pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that supplies sensation to the upper thigh can cause symptoms of meralgia paresthetica, among others:
1. Tingling and numbness in the outer thigh
2. Burning pain in or on the surface of the outer thigh
3. And dull pain in the groin area or buttocks
4. These symptoms generally occur only on one side of the body and can be more so when walking or standing.

Cause

Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, the nerve that supplies sensation to the outer surface of the thigh, pressed or pinched. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is a sensory nerve and does not affect the ability to use your leg muscles.

In most people, this nerve passes into the upper thigh groin without difficulty. But in meralgia paresthetica, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve trapped below the inguinal ligament that runs along the base of the thigh, from the stomach into the upper thigh.

Common causes of this pressure is a condition which causes pressure on the groin, such as:
1. Tight clothes
2. Obesity
3. Gestation
4. Scar tissue near the inguinal ligament injury or surgery
5. Walking, cycling, or standing for long periods of time
6. Nerve injury, either because of diabetes or after a motor vehicle accident

Treatments and drugs
Treatment for meralgia paresthetica focuses on relieving the pressure on the nerves.

Conservative measures
Conservative measures effective for most people. The pain will usually disappear within a few months. The trick, among others:
1. Wear loose clothing
2. Lose weight
3. Drinking painkillers such as acetaminophen, ibruprofen, or aspirin.

Drugs
If symptoms still appear for more than two months or the pain gets worse, treatment may include:
1. Injections of corticosteroids.
Injections can reduce inflammation and reduce pain for a while. Possible side effects are: joint infection, nerve damage, pain, and bleaching the skin around the injection site.

2. Tricyclic antidepressants.
These medications can reduce pain. Side effects include: drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.

3. Gabapentin or pregabalin.
Anti-seizure medications may help reduce the painful symptoms. Side effects include: constipation, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and the body feels light.

Operation
Surgery is rarely performed. This option is only for patients with severe symptoms and has not been recovered.

Sources: MayoClinic