Meralgia Paraesthetica is the medical term for a benign condition where there is a painful patch of numbness on the side of the thigh. The picture below shows the area normally affected although this can vary from person to person.
image courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group LTD
Meralgia Paraesthetica is the medical term for a benign condition where there is a painful patch of numbness on the side of the thigh. The picture below shows the area normally affected although this can vary from person to person:
Meralgia Paraesthetica is a common problem due to a trapped nerve called the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh. It usually gets trapped in the groin.
• Patients with meralgia paraesthetica normally notice a painful patch of numbness on their lateral thigh which they can draw around with their finger. They may feel pins and needles in this area. It can be very uncomfortable
• Meralgia paraesthetica does not cause any other symptoms in the legs
• The commonest cause is recent weight gain or pregnancy.
• The diagnosis is made solely on the typical story and the location of the numbness
• No further tests are required
• Most patients do not need any further treatment
• If your pain is bad enough that you would like to take a painkiller for it then there are tablet treatments that can be recommended by your doctor.
• Meralgia paraesthetica symptoms can persist
