eMedicine Specialties > Neurology > Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies

Femoral Mononeuropathy: Treatment & Medication

Author: Elizabeth A Sekul, MD, Department of Neurology, Associate Professor, Medical College of Georgia
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 20, 2007

Treatment

Medical Care

Treatment is dependent on the etiology of the lesion.

  • Most patients with a femoral mononeuropathy can be treated conservatively with physical therapy, avoidance of excessive hip abduction and external rotation, and knee bracing to prevent buckling of the knee.
  • In patients with femoral neuropathy associated with positional compression or retraction compression during surgery or delivery, recovery typically occurs over 3-4 months.
  • When the cause of the neuropathy is a retroperitoneal hematoma, evacuation of the hematoma may be indicated, but this is controversial.
  • In patients on anticoagulation therapy, anticoagulant agents must be stopped until the hematoma has resolved. Outcomes for these patients are worse than for those with a hematoma due to trauma.
  • If the compression is due to a tumor, then therapy, either surgery or chemotherapy, is directed at the neoplasm.
  • When the neuropathy is due to diabetes or vasculitic causes, immunosuppressive therapy may be warranted.

Surgical Care

  • Surgical decompression of the nerve sometimes is performed secondary to hematomas or mass lesions.
  • Occasionally, surgical exploration for other reasons (eg, penetrating wounds, fascia bands) is indicated.

More on Femoral Mononeuropathy

Overview: Femoral Mononeuropathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Femoral Mononeuropathy
Treatment & Medication: Femoral Mononeuropathy
References
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References

  1. Azuelos A, Coro L, Alexandre A. Femoral nerve entrapment. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2005;92:61-2. [Medline].

  2. Krendel DA, Zacharias A, Younger DS. Autoimmune diabetic neuropathy. Neurol Clin. Nov 1997;15(4):959-71. [Medline].

  3. Llewelyn JG, Thomas PK, King RH. Epineurial microvasculitis in proximal diabetic neuropathy. J Neurol. Mar 1998;245(3):159-65. [Medline].

  4. Olesen LL. Femoral neuropathy secondary to anticoagulation. J Intern Med. Oct 1989;226(4):279-80. [Medline].

  5. Williams FH, Johns JS, Weiss JM. Neuromuscular rehabilitation and electrodiagnosis. 1. Mononeuropathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. Mar 2005;86(3 Suppl 1):S3-10. [Medline].

  6. al Hakim M, Katirji B. Femoral mononeuropathy induced by the lithotomy position: a report of 5 cases with a review of literature. Muscle Nerve. Sep 1993;16(9):891-5. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

femoral nerve, nerve entrapment, nerve compression, femoral nerve anatomy, knee buckling

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Elizabeth A Sekul, MD, Department of Neurology, Associate Professor, Medical College of Georgia
Elizabeth A Sekul, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Child Neurology Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Aashit K Shah, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Wayne State University; Program Director, Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship, Department of Neurology, Detroit Medical Center
Aashit K Shah, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, and American Epilepsy Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Neil A Busis, MD, Chief, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Shadyside, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Neil A Busis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Matthew J Baker, MD, Consulting Staff, Collier Neurologic Specialists, Naples Community Hospital
Matthew J Baker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Nicholas Y Lorenzo, MD, Chief Editor, eMedicine Neurology; Consulting Staff, Neurology Specialists and Consultants
Nicholas Y Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Neurology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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