What Is Meralgia Paresthetica?
Meralgia paresthetica is caused when the nerve that provides skin sensation to the thigh is pinched. Common symptoms of the nerve condition affect the outer thigh and include:
- Tingling
- Burning pain
- Numbness
The condition often results when patients wear tight-fitting clothes, gain weight, or are pregnant; however, it can also develop from trauma to the area or a chronic disease, such as diabetes. Meralgia paresthetica often happens to one side of the body, and symptoms may be more intense after walking or standing.
Treatment for Meralgia Paresthetica
Non-invasive treatments are typically enough to relieve the compressed nerve that causes meralgia paresthetica. This may include wearing loose-fitting clothes or losing weight. If the condition is severe enough, patients may benefit from medications to help reduce pain, such as the following:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Anti-seizure medications
Those who can benefit from surgery are typically those with severe symptoms that have not responded to more conservative forms of treatment.
