Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for Meralgia Paresthetica Follow-up

  • Author: Christopher Luzzio, MD; Chief Editor: Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD   more...
 
Updated: Oct 28, 2011
 

Prognosis

  • Prognosis depends on the etiology of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN injury). Simple meralgia paresthetica caused by external or benign mechanical injury often remits spontaneously. In one study where the surgical candidates were selected carefully, most patients who chose nerve decompression for chronic discomfort experienced relief. Factors that indicate excellent surgical outcome are outlined in Surgical Intervention.
  • For most patients, this condition is self-limiting, and with education, patients learn to tolerate symptoms and modify activity, thus avoiding surgery or other aggressive treatments.
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Patient Education

  • Instruct patients to avoid activities that injure the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Christopher Luzzio, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Medicine and Public Health

Christopher Luzzio, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Everett C Hills, MD, MS  Vice Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Director for Outpatient Services, Penn State Hershey Rehabilitation Hospital; Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center and Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Everett C Hills, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Physician Executives, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society of Neurorehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and Pennsylvania Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Michael T Andary, MD, MS  Professor, Residency Program Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Kelly L Allen, MD  Medical Director, Medevals

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD  Physiatrist, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Otoshi K, Itoh Y, Tsujino A, et al. Case report: meralgia paresthetica in a baseball pitcher. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Sep 2008;466(9):2268-70. [Medline].

  3. Schestatsky P, Llado-Carbo E, Casanova-Molla J, et al. Small fibre function in patients with meralgia paresthetica. Pain. Oct 15 2008;139(2):342-8. [Medline].

  4. Knight RQ, Schwaegler P, Hanscom D, et al. Direct lateral lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative conditions: early complication profile. J Spinal Disord Tech. Feb 2009;22(1):34-7. [Medline].

  5. Moucharafieh R, Wehbe J, Maalouf G. Meralgia paresthetica: a result of tight new trendy low cut trousers ('taille basse'). Int J Surg. Apr 2008;6(2):164-8. [Medline].

  6. Alberti O, Wickboldt J, Becker R. Suprainguinal retroperitoneal approach for the successful surgical treatment of meralgia paresthetica. J Neurosurg. Oct 31 2008;[Medline].

  7. van Eerten PV, Polder TW, Broere CA. Operative treatment of meralgia paresthetica: transection versus neurolysis. Neurosurgery. Jul 1995;37(1):63-5. [Medline].

  8. Tagliafico A, Serafini G, Lacelli F, Perrone N, Valsania V, Martinoli C. Ultrasound-guided treatment of meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy): technical description and results of treatment in 20 consecutive patients. J Ultrasound Med. Oct 2011;30(10):1341-6. [Medline].

  9. Liveson JA, Ma DM. Lumbar plexus. In: Laboratory Reference for Clinical Neurophysiology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1998:165-8.

  10. Massey EW. Sensory mononeuropathies. Semin Neurol. 1998;18(2):177-83. [Medline].

  11. Nahabedian MY, Dellon AL. Meralgia paresthetica: etiology, diagnosis, and outcome of surgical decompression. Ann Plast Surg. Dec 1995;35(6):590-4. [Medline].

  12. Streiffer RH. Meralgia paresthetica. Am Fam Physician. Mar 1986;33(3):141-4. [Medline].

  13. Travell JG, Simons DG. Tensor fasciae latae muscle and sartorius muscle. In: Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual for the Lower Extremities. vol 2. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1999:230-2.

 
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Basic anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous sensory nerve. The blue region over the anterolateral thigh outlines the area of cutaneous innervation.
 
 
 
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