Therapy

If the suspicion of the existence of a Meralgia paraesthetica is confirmed, the physician injects a local anesthetic into the point of passage of the nervus cutaneus femoris lateralis through the inguinal ligament. If the symptoms improve significantly as a result, this is considered evidence of the presence of this disease. Further therapy depends on the patient.

If there is an underlying disease, it should be treated in any case. Furthermore, risk factors such as tight clothing or overweight should be avoided. In about 25% of patients, the nerve compression syndrome regresses on its own.

In the others, local anaesthetics (e.g. bupivacaine) can still be used to block the nerves. In addition, painkillers such as ibuprofen should be considered. If all these measures do not result in a reduction of symptoms, surgery can be considered, in which either decompression at the inguinal ligament or even a severing of the affected nerve is performed.

This term refers to two different procedures. On the one hand, the nerve can be exposed by specialized surgeons using microsurgery and thus freed from the connective tissue surrounding and constricting the nerve. On the other hand, the nerve can be sclerosed or surgically severed by injecting certain substances such as 95% ethanol, for example, in order to finally eliminate the pain.

During surgery with cutting through the nerve, the supply area on the thigh remains permanently numb. Motor damage such as muscle paralysis or muscle weakness does not occur with this surgical method. Thanks to all available treatment options, almost 90% of patients regain complete freedom from symptoms.Yes, a physiotherapeutic treatment is certainly a useful addition in case of a meralgia parästhetica.

The pain is caused by the pinched nerve which is pulled through the inguinal ligament into the thigh. The pressure on the nerve decreases when bending the hip joint. Appropriate exercises can be learned in physiotherapy.

Furthermore, the physiotherapist can loosen corresponding muscle tension in the thigh, which also contributes to pain relief. Physiotherapeutic treatment is particularly advisable in the case of chronic pain syndromes. Meralgia paraesthetica causes pain in the thigh.

The cause is a trapped nerve that moves from the pelvis through the inguinal ligament into the thigh. Therefore the pain improves when the hip joint is bent. The discomfort increases when the hip joint is overstretched.

This cannot always be avoided in everyday life. However, the pain often comes at night. Therefore it helps to put a cushion under the affected leg during the night.

Relaxation methods such as autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation according to Jakobsen are also useful as a supplement; especially if the complaints have already become chronic. In addition, risk factors such as tight pants, car seats or seat belts should be avoided. Weight loss also eliminates overweight as a risk factorAn infiltration therapy for Meralgia paraesthetica is comparable to an anaesthetic at the dentist.

The clinical picture of the disease is caused by pressure on a nerve that runs from the pelvis to the thigh, resulting in sensations and pain. Here, liquid medication, mostly local anesthetics (for example lidocaine) or cortisone are injected directly into the area around the nerve. This can be carried out under ultrasound control in order to localize the site precisely.

Depending on the success, the treatment can be repeated several times. Osteopathy is a procedure of complementary medicine. This means that osteopathy is not a diagnosis and therapy method of orthodox medicine, but can complement it in certain areas.

In osteopathy, it is believed that movement restrictions are responsible for the complaints. Therefore, a major therapeutic goal is to release these blockages and restore mobility. Sometimes special trigger points are also treated specifically.

Trigger points are easily felt points where external pressure can trigger pain. For the treatment of a meralgia parästhetica numerous drugs can be used. First choice drugs are painkillers, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The best known representative of this class of drugs is Ibuprofen. If a therapy with ibuprofen does not result in an improvement, special nerve painkillers such as gabapentin, pregabalin or carbamazepine can also be administered. Ibuprofen should also be taken as a supplement to therapy in this case.

If the pain is not sufficiently relieved by medication, it must be considered whether local (e.g. surgical) therapy is possible. Relaxation of the musculature can bring relief in the case of Meralgia paraethetica. Here Schüßler salts are recommended, for example No.

7 Magnesium phosphoricum. Arnica can also help to treat the complaints. On the one hand, one can try to apply them as an ointment, on the other hand one can also take them in the form of drops or globules.