Articles LFCN Entrapment (Meralgia Paresthetica)

September 17, 2019

Burning on the front side of your thigh can be due to an LFCN entrapment. Please continue reading to learn about what the LFCN is, basic anatomy, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, management and physiotherapy treatment.

Basic Anatomy

The nerves in your legs all arise from your lower back and pelvis. Some of these nerves supply the muscles to allow movement and some supply the skin to enable sensation.

What is Your Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN)?

Your LFCN is a nerve that supplies the skin on the front and side of your thigh to allow sensation.

As it descends into your leg it travels underneath a ligament in your groin. Problems can arise if your LFCN becomes compressed on the under side of this ligament.

Compression of the LFCN underneath the inguinal ligament

What causes Your LFCN to Become Compressed?

tight fitting clothing (i.e. tight waist bands, heavy work belts)
obesity/weight gain
health conditions increasing your abdominal mass (i.e. pregnancy, diverticulitis)
following trauma (i.e. seat belt injury from a car accident)
following surgery where you are required to lie face down for a prolonged period of time (i.e. hip, lower back surgery)
post operative scarring following surgery to the groin/pelvis area
medical conditions causing neuropathy (i.e. diabetes, hypothyroidism)

LFCN entrapment can be caused by tight fitting clothing and excessive weight gain

Symptoms

pain, burning, tingling, numbness, coldness, hypersensitivity or buzzing on the front side of your thigh
aggravation of symptoms with prolonged standing
ease of symptoms with sitting
reproduction of pain when pressure is applied over the front of the hip/groin

LFCN entrapment will give rise to pain on the front side of your thigh

Risk Factors

obesity or sudden weight gain
Pregnancy
Diabetics
hypothyroidism
30-60 years of age

Pregnancy increases your risk of a LFCN compression

Diagnosis

Diagnosing this condition is mainly based on an individual’s clinical presentation through a thorough subjective and physical examination. A nerve conduction study may be required to confirm the diagnosis. An xray, or MRI may also be required to exclude/identify other injuries.

Palpation over the inguinal ligament often reproduces symptoms

Treatment

90% of LFCN injuries will resolve with conservative physiotherapy management (see below).
In some situations a cortisone injection to the compressed area may help to alleviate inflammation and swelling around the nerve.
Desensitisation of the nerve using heat treatment may be considered in more persistent cases (see image below).
Surgery is rare in the management of this condition and only indicated in situations where severe symptoms persist despite extensive conservative treatment. This typically involves surgically decompressing the nerve or removing a portion of the nerve.

Pulsed radiofrequency neurotomy is a procedure used to desensitise nerves

Physiotherapy Management

Alleviate symptoms and decrease pain. Modalities such as strapping, massage, manual therapy and acupuncture may be used.
Provide education, weight loss advice, identify and modify aggravating factors (i.e. wearing looser fitting clothing)
Restore pain free hip range of motion by stretching the nerves and muscles
Strengthen the hip and core muscles
Identify and address movement and postural issues that may have contributed to the injury (i.e. flat feet)
Normalise gait pattern
Graded return to work, sport and function

Hip flexor stretches can help to improve flexibility and alleviate symptoms

Please keep in mind the information provided is general in nature and should not be used as a substitute to consult your treating health professional. If you have any specific questions or require assistance with your individual treatment requirements please do not hesitate to contact My Family Physio in Pittwater Place Shopping Centre.

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