Prognosis
Prognosis depends on the etiology of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN injury). Simple meralgia paresthetica (MP) 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.
A literature review by Lu et al of patients with MP who were treated with neurectomy, neurolysis, or injection found the incidence of complete pain relief to be 85%, 63%, and 22%, respectively. The incidence of treatment complications ranged from 0-5%, being statistically comparable between the three procedures. [21]
Patient Education
Instruct patients to avoid activities that injure the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
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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.
