Living with Meralgia paresthetica
A condition with numbness, tingling, and burning pain in the outer thigh from a pinched nerve.
Understanding Meralgia paresthetica
Symptoms may get worse after walking or standing. It usually affects one side, though both sides may be affected in up to 20% of cases. It is caused by pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a nerve that senses touch on the outer thigh.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list, but its summary describes these symptoms:
- Numbness in the outer thigh
- Tingling in the outer thigh
- Burning pain in the outer thigh
- Symptoms worse after walking or standing
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Causes can include tight clothing or a heavy tool belt, diabetes, nerve injury from surgery, weight gain, pregnancy, seatbelt injury, or, rarely, a mass pressing on the nerve.
Also known as: bernhardt-rot syndrome; bernhardt's paresthesia; compression of lateral cutaneous femoral nerve of thigh; entrapment of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh; lateral cutaneous femoral nerve of thigh syndrome
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Meralgia paresthetica.
Explore research for Meralgia paresthetica
Explore actively recruiting Meralgia paresthetica studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Meralgia paresthetica with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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