eMedicine Specialties > Sports Medicine > Neurological

Bicycle Seat Neuropathy: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: John M Martinez, MD, Medical Director, Primary Care Sports Medicine, Coastal Sports and Wellness Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Kenneth Honsik, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Primary Care Sports Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 17, 2008

Differential Diagnoses

Groin Injury
Lumbosacral Disc Injuries
Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Other Problems to Be Considered

Atherosclerotic vascular disease
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Zinc deficiency

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • Laboratory tests are not indicated in the diagnosis of bicycle seat neuropathy. Specific laboratory tests should be ordered based on the clinical consideration for other disorders with similar symptoms of paresthesias or impotence. Tests may include vitamin B-12 and folate levels, a thyrotropin value, a fasting blood glucose level, and a cholesterol panel.

Related Medscape topics:
Resource Center Thyroid Disease
Resource Center Triglycerides in CVD Risk Management
Specialty Site Cardiology
Specialty Site Diabetes & Endocrinology 
Specialty Site Pathology & Lab Medicine

Imaging Studies

  • Doppler ultrasound of the vascular structures may be indicated.
  • Consider obtaining plain radiographs or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and/or pelvis to rule out pelvic fracture if the patient's history indicates trauma.

More on Bicycle Seat Neuropathy

Overview: Bicycle Seat Neuropathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Bicycle Seat Neuropathy
Treatment & Medication: Bicycle Seat Neuropathy
Follow-up: Bicycle Seat Neuropathy
Multimedia: Bicycle Seat Neuropathy
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

saddle numbness, erectile dysfunction, impotence neuropathy, bicycle saddle neuropathy, vascular or neurologic injury of the pudendal nerve, urinary incontinence

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

John M Martinez, MD, Medical Director, Primary Care Sports Medicine, Coastal Sports and Wellness Medical Center
John M Martinez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kenneth Honsik, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Primary Care Sports Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

David T Bernhardt, MD, Director of Adolescent and Sports Medicine Fellowship, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin
David T Bernhardt, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

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

Managing Editor

Russell D White, MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Truman Medical Center Lakewood
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Jon B Whitehurst, MD, Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner and Executive Board Member, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital
Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago
Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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