Meralgia Paresthetica

The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a sensory nerve arising from the L2 and L3 roots, may be compressed or stretched in obese or diabetic patients and during pregnancy

Hyperextension of the hip or increased lumbar lordosis—as during pregnancy—leads to nerve compression by the posterior fascicle of the ligament

However, entrapment of the nerve at any point along its course may cause similar symptoms, and several other anatomic variations predispose the nerve to damage when it is stretched

Symptoms are usually mild and commonly settle spontaneously

Pain, paresthesia, or numbness occurs about the outer aspect of the thigh, usually unilaterally, and is sometimes relieved by sitting

Pain stops at the knee, unlike the pain from lower lumbar sciatica that radiates to the foot

Examination shows no abnormalities except in severe cases when cutaneous sensation is impaired in the affected area

Hydrocortisone injections medial to the anterosuperior iliac spine often relieve symptoms temporarily

Nerve decompression by transposition may provide more lasting relief but is rarely indicated