Meralgia paresthetica

An injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that results in pain and paresthesias of the outer thigh.

• MP presents with pain, paresthesia, and numbness in the lateral thigh above the knee. However, strength is normal because the LFCN does not contain motor fibers.
• Common causes
  • Compression at the level of the inguinal ligament, caused by:
    • Increased intraabdominal pressure (e.g., pregnancy, uterine fibroids, obesity, ascites)
    • External compression (from, e.g., tight belts, pants, or compression dressings, trauma to the anterior superior iliac spine)
    • Local compression (due to, e.g., tumors, muscle compression from prolonged sitting or standing, hematomas)
  • Pelvic surgery