Fact Checked
Meralgia paraesthetica involves nerve issues that results to discomfort in the exterior part of the thigh. This condition is due to the crushing of the lateral cutaneous nerve within the thigh. This nerve function in supplying feelings or sensations to the other thigh.
Causes of meralgia paraesthetica
- Seatbelt injury due to vehicular accidents
- During medical or surgical procedures such as keyhole or laparoscopic hernia repairs and treatments
- Playing sports that includes baseball, gymnastics, soccer, strenuous exercises and bodybuilding.
Sudden and sharp burning pain felt in the leg and sometimes a sound can be heard. - Lying in a curled-up position for prolonged periods of time
- Neuromas which are non-cancerous growths or tumors on a nerve. Pelvic or intra-abdominal tumors could compress the nerve.
- Wearing tight clothing such as corsets, belts and tight pants
- Pregnancy
- Wearing heavy tool belt across the waist
- Scar tissue formed due to injury or surgery in the past.
Symptoms
- Numbness and tingling sensations of the upper area of the thigh
- Burning sensations or pain felt on the outer area of the thigh.
- Sometime a dull pain in the groin area or across the buttocks
- Pain is severe when walking and standing and becomes relieved by lying down with hip flexed
Treatment
- Take plenty of rest at least for weeks to months to lessen the pain and for fast healing of the condition.
- Take the prescribed over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen, and ibuprofen to lessen the pain and the inflammation.
- Use the corticosteroid injections for severe symptoms to lessen the pain and the inflammation.
- Apply cold compress on the affected area to lessen the pain, the burning and the itching sensations. Avoid ice directly on the skin, wrap ice in a towel before placing on the area to prevent further damage and worsen the condition.
- Take the prescribed Vitamin B12 supplement to lessen the tingling and the burning sensations. Increase consumption of egg, meat, poultry products and low-dairy products such low-fat milk.
- Avoid wearing tight cloth such as belts and corsets especially below the navel area which is the depression in the middle of the abdomen and the former connection of the umbilical cord to the embryo. Tight clothing, belts and corsets can press the upper thigh and hip area and the increases the risk of nerve entrapment.
- Overweight people are in the high risk of developing this condition. Performing regular exercises with dietary modifications such as minimizing the consumption of processed foods, starchy and oily foods and increasing the consumption of foods rich in fibers.
- Seek the help of the physical therapist for some exercises to strengthen the thigh muscles and the inner hip area to lessen the nerve entrapment.
- Electrotherapy is needed to lessen the nerve blockage and improve the symptoms due to meralgia paresthetica.
Tips
- Take a break especially from walking, standing, cycling or other irritating activities for long periods of time.
- Wear clothes that are loose at the upper front of the hip area.
FACT CHECK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meralgia_paraesthetica
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meralgia-paresthetica/symptoms-causes/syc-20355635