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 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
