What does it mean when your thigh goes numb and burns?

Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of your thigh. The condition is caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (also called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) is a cutaneous nerve of the thigh. It originates from the dorsal divisions of the second and third lumbar nerves from the lumbar plexus. It passes under the inguinal ligament to reach the thigh.

https://en.wikipedia.org › Lateral_cutaneous_nerve_of_thigh

Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh - Wikipedia

, which supplies sensation to your upper leg.

What happens if meralgia paresthetica goes untreated?

Left untreated, however, meralgia paresthetica may lead to serious pain or paralysis. Seek prompt medical care for persistent systems of meralgia paresthetica, such as numbness, tingling, or mild pain, as continued compression of the nerve may lead to permanent damage and paralysis.

How do u treat meralgia paresthetica?

What does it mean when your thigh is burning like fire?

Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes numbness, pain, or a burning feeling in your outer thigh. You might also hear it called Bernhardt-Roth syndrome. It happens when there's too much pressure on or damage to one of the nerves in your leg, specifically the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN).

How do I get rid of numbness in my thigh?

Apply cold compresses or wrapped icepacks to numb legs and feet for 15 minutes at a time several times daily. Heat. Heat can sometimes help loosen stiff, sore, or tense muscles that can put pressure on nerves and cause numbness.

Meralgia Paresthetica (Outer thigh numbness, burning and tingling)

Is thigh numbness serious?

Thigh numbness may not be cause for alarm, and can often be treated with rest. However, if you begin to experience worsening symptoms or if your numbness spreads, seek immediate medical attention. Schedule a visit with your doctor if you begin to experience sudden numbness and pain.

Is walking good for meralgia paresthetica?

Exercising for 30 minutes a day at least three or four times a week should help ease meralgia paresthetica pain. Some exercises to try include: brisk walking.

How did I get meralgia paresthetica?

It's caused by compression of the nerve that provides sensation to the skin covering your thigh. Tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy are common causes of meralgia paresthetica. However, meralgia paresthetica can also be due to local trauma or a disease, such as diabetes.

Is meralgia paresthetica a disability?

Meralgia paresthetica is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) that can lead to significant disability when the diagnosis is missed or delayed.

When should I be concerned about thigh pain?

Thigh pain with redness, swelling, and warmth of your skin. This may be a sign of a blood clot and requires immediate medical attention. A muscle strain or tear may cause your thigh to look deformed. A visit to an orthopedic surgeon may be needed to accurately diagnose and treat your condition.

What is the best position to sleep with meralgia paresthetica?

The best option is to sleep on the side opposite the discomfort with a pillow between your legs. (If the burning is in your left thigh, sleep on your right side.) This can help ease the compression of the nerve enough to allow you to get to sleep.

Is sitting good for meralgia paresthetica?

Symptoms of meralgia paresthetica include: Pain, numbness and tingling, and diminished sensation on the upper outer thigh. Pain may be described as burning, stinging, or "pins and needles" Pain may worsen with prolonged walking or standing, and is relieved by sitting.

How do doctors know if you have nerve damage?

Electromyography (EMG) records electrical activity in your muscles to detect nerve damage. A thin needle (electrode) is inserted into the muscle to measure electrical activity as you contract the muscle.

Does an MRI show nerve damage?

Nerve damage can usually be diagnosed based on a neurological examination and can be correlated by MRI scan findings. The MRI scan images are obtained with a magnetic field and radio waves. No harmful ionizing radiation is used.

What is end stage neuropathy?

Stage 5: Complete Loss of Feeling

This is the final stage of neuropathy, and it is where you've lost any and all feeling in your lower legs and feet. You do not feel any pain, just intense numbness. This is because there are no nerves that are able to send signals to your brain.

How do you treat meralgia paresthetica naturally?

Self-treatment of meralgia paresthetica can be accomplished by reducing the source of compression—perhaps by losing weight or loosening belts, avoiding carrying a wallet or cell phone in your front pocket or wearing looser jeans.

What type of doctor should you see for meralgia paresthetica?

A neurologist is an expert in diagnosing and treating problems of your brain, spinal cord and nerves, including these 8 neurological symptoms and disorders. A neurologist treats disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

What medicine is good for meralgia paresthetica?

Medications for treatment of meralgia paresthetica (MP) discomfort include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), narcotics, and other agents, such as amitriptyline, Neurontin, and Tegretol. In general, avoid prolonged use of NSAIDs and narcotics if possible.

What doctor can treats meralgia paresthetica?

For the accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan for meralgia paresthetica, it is important to meet with a specialist that is specifically trained in peripheral nerve conditions. Our specialists at Advanced Neurosurgery Associates provide treatment of meralgia paresthetica.

Can a blood clot cause numbness in leg?

For example, deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the leg. DVT can be large enough to put pressure on surrounding nerves, or cut off blood supply to the nerves causing the pins and needles sensation, numbness, and even pain in the leg.

Is nerve damage life threatening?

Symptoms can range from mild to disabling and are rarely life-threatening. The symptoms depend on the type of nerve fibers affected and the type and severity of damage. Symptoms may develop over days, weeks, or years. In some cases, the symptoms improve on their own and may not require advanced care.

What is the most common symptom of nerve damage?

If you have neuropathy, the most commonly described feelings are sensations of numbness, tingling (“pins and needles”), and weakness in the area of the body affected. Other sensations include sharp, lightening-like pain; or a burning, throbbing or stabbing pain.

Is nerve damage a disability?

If you suffer from a condition that causes nerve damage that is so severe that it impacts your ability to work for at least a year, you may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits.

How do you reverse meralgia paresthetica?

Takeaway. Often, the numbness, tingling, or pain of meralgia paresthetica can be remedied with simple steps such as weight loss, exercise, or wearing looser clothing.

How do you test for meralgia paresthetica?

Doctors may need no more than a physical exam to diagnose you with meralgia paresthetica. A doctor may look for hair loss on the affected thigh, or palpate for “Tinel sign,” which involves tapping your inguinal ligament to see if symptoms worsen.