Corticosteroid injections given by a physician in order to reduce inflammation and ease pain. 10 It is often the result of iatrogenic injury to the LFCN, which can occur during surgery. Your email address will not be published. Hernia repair surgery puts the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at risk. Synonym(s): nervus cutaneus femoris lateralis [TA], lateral femoral cutaneous nerve ☆ The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is a pure sensory nerve that is susceptible to compression as it courses from the lumbar plexus, through the abdominal cavity, under the inguinal ligament, and into the subcutaneous tissue of the thigh. It is the only cranial nerve that emerges dorsally from the brain (near the back)…, The tibial nerve branches off from the sciatic nerve. The typical presentation of LFCN neuropathy is pain, paresthesia or dysesthesia, and numbness over the anterolateral thigh. Nerve damage due to surgery or pregnancy cannot be avoided but the good news is the damage is not usually permanent. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is a sensory nerve innervating the anterolateral thigh. Causes of meralgia paresthetica include anything that can cause the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve to become entrapped. lateral femoral cutaneous nerve with or without locating the nerve. It divides into two branches – anterior and posterior – eight to ten centimeters below the spine, where it also emerges from the fascia lata. Seat belts can cause blunt trauma damage to the LFCN in a vehicle accident. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve damage is rarely permanent and symptoms ease when the injury has healed. The nerve is sometimes damaged when the surgeon makes a skin incision to perform a surgical procedure. Damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve occasionally  leads to a medical condition known as meralgia paresthetica. Located between the fascia lata and iliaca, it passes under the inguinal ligament and over the sartorius muscle into the thigh . The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is a purely sensory nerve from the lumbar plexus and is derived from the L2-L3 nerve roots. … The symptoms usually ease after giving birth and no long term damage is done to the nerve. It’s worth noting that a nerve will never fully recover after an injury and will be susceptible to damage in the future. The aim of our study was to analyze the available data on the LFCN and find a true prevalence to help in the planning and execution of surgical procedures in the area of the pelvis, namely inguinal hernia repair. It courses inferiorly and laterally toward the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). Last medically reviewed on January 19, 2018, The trochlear nerve is also known as cranial nerve IV (CN-IV). ISURA 2012 Philip Peng MBBS, FRCPC Associate Professor Department of Anesthesia Toronto Western Hospital Toronto ON, Canada www.usra.ca The tightness of the clothing around the thigh puts pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Not carrying items such as wallets and cell phones in pockets can help to avoid nerve damage. PRF is an effective way to treat the pain that’s associated with nerve injuries and medical evidence suggests that PRF can successfully  alleviate pain in people with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injuries. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Meralgia paresthetica or meralgia paraesthetica is numbness or pain in the outer thigh not caused by injury to the thigh, but by injury to a nerve that extends from the spinal column to the thigh. by Nerve Injury Team | Mar 17, 2019 | Nerve Injury, Nerve Injury Causes. If symptoms persist for more than 3 months there are some treatment options that can be considered. Anatomy and Function. All rights reserved. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) has no motor function and it’s a sensory nerve located in the thigh. It spreads through the middle of the arm, also known as the medial brachial area. Although the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve has no motor function it’s still important that it is healthy. The damage is not usually serious and no long term problems are experienced by patients. Stretching and relaxation exercises help to release a trapped nerve and reduce pain. Local anesthetic-based (LA) nerve blocks of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) have been demonstrated to provide analgesia when the graft is taken from the lateral thigh. The nerve branches off the spinal cord in between two vertebrae (L2 & L3). . The nerve damage is not usually permanent and symptoms ease when the fracture has healed. Most cases of meralgia paresthetica do not need any medical intervention. The anterior branch supplies the skin of the anterior and lateral regions of the thigh to the knee, while the posterior branch supplies the lateral portion of the thigh, from the greater trochanter in the hip, to mid-thigh, just above the knee. The nerve follows a pathway from the cavernous sinus (a…, The oculomotor nerve is the third of 12 pairs of cranial nerves in the brain. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is purely a sensory nerve and doesn't affect your ability to use your leg muscles.In most people, this nerve passes through the groin to the upper thigh without trouble. The ophthalmic nerve is responsible for conveying…, The medial cutaneous nerve is located in the arm. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve innervates the skin of the outer thigh. Insulin used to control diabetes can lead to weight gain in some people which could also damage the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. 5.2).It is a cutaneous nerve serving the lateral aspect of the thigh. It is also called…, The cervical nerves consist of eight paired nerves that are a part of the peripheral nervous system. Both types of tumor will usually be removed and the symptoms of the nerve damage will then ease. The scar tissue compresses the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve which leads to symptoms developing. These tests are an effective way to diagnose damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Exercises such as lunges and working the quadriceps are an effective way to ease thigh pain and discomfort. high chance of developing meralgia paresthetica, The Lesser Petrosal Nerve: Everything You Need to Know, What is the Deep Peroneal Nerve and the Injuries Associated With It, Everything You Need to Know About the Mandibular Nerve, At Nerve’s Edge: An Introduction to Peripheral Neuropathy. In some cases the surgeon may have to remove some of the nerve which leads to permanent loss of feeling. Damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is occasionally  treated with pulsed radiofrequency stimulation (PRF). Neuropathies (nerve damage) of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve can arise from many different clinical situations, and often manifest as sensory loss or pain, which can be tingling, aching, or burning. The pressure on the nerve causes abnormal sensations of burning, pain, and numbness in the distribution of this nerve, the outer and part of the front of the thigh. They emerge from the spinal cord through the…, The ulnar nerve is a nerve that travels from the wrist to the shoulder. How is a Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Injury Diagnosed? Exercise may help to ease the symptoms associated with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injuries. This chronic neurological disorder involves a single nerve—the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, which is also called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This pain is sometimes an indication that the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is inflamed or trapped. This nerve is responsible for eyeball and eyelid movement. A pelvic fracture is another cause of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve damage. It is also seen in diabetic and obese patients or in those wearing tight pants, belts, or girdles. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve , also known as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, is a sensory branch of the lumbar plexus arising from the posterior divisions of the anterior rami of L2 and L3 spinal nerves. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Anatomy. The most common site of entrapment occurs at the inguinal ligament. Symptoms are thought to be due to entrapment of the LFCN as it passes through or under the inguinal ligament. How is a Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Injury Treated? Meralgia paresthetica (Bernhardt-Roth syndrome) is an entrapment of the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh that was initially reported to follow operative interventions such as iliac crestbone grafting, appendectomy, pelvic osteotomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy. IV injections in the lower back, groin and thigh may damage the nerve. When the injury has been diagnosed an appropriate course of treatment will be decided on. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block helps doctors evaluate and manage pain in the lateral part found in your thigh. When the nerve is injured, it causes problems that affect the patient’s quality of life. METHODS: We dissected the inguinal nerves in 30 human anatomic specimens bilaterally. Compression resulting from the removal of a tumor on the nerve is another risk. It provides innervation to the muscles of the lower leg and foot. Any kind of blunt trauma to the lower spine, pelvic area, hips or thigh could cause damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Medical studies have concluded that the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve could get damaged during hip surgery. The nerve is particularly susceptible to damage during hip surgery and hip replacement operations. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is a superficial nerve of the outer thigh. Penetrating trauma such as a laceration of the thigh puts the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at risk. The damage to the nerve will heal naturally and the symptoms will ease. Required fields are marked *, https://www.facebook.com/Nerve-injury-445074202607645/, https://www.pinterest.com/nerveinjury/pins/. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is formed by contributions from the ventral rami of the L2 and L3 spinal nerves ( Fig. Pregnant women are at risk of developing meralgia paresthetica whilst carrying the baby. 2 , 8 , 11 , 19 This study was conducted to define the variability of the nerve's relationship to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), and also the relationship to the fascial planes superficial and deep to the nerve. It is susceptible to entrapment along its course, usually at its exit from the pelvis under the inguinal ligament. Tight clothing, trauma, surgery, obesity and pregnancy are some of the causes of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injuries. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve becomes "entrapped" as it passes under the ligament of the groin. Benign and malignant tumors grow at varying rates and put pressure on nerves in the affected area. Emerging from the lateral border of the psoas major muscle, LFCN runs across the iliacus muscle toward the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and passes deep into the inguinal ligament (Fig. After emerging from the lateral border of the psoas major muscle, it courses inferiorly and laterally towards the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). If the tumor is attached to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve it could cause damage. Treatment is generally conservative and may require minor changes in lifestyle, behavior, or diet. Putting less pressure on the nerve will avoid any nerve injuries and the associated symptoms. Most commonly, the nerve emerges from beneath the lateral aspect of the psoas and descends obliquely along the anterior surface of the iliacus muscle toward the ASIS. T he lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) has a variable course. The nerve could get severed and it can be compressed during and after a surgical procedure. Common causes of this condition, known as meralgia paresthetica, include tight clothing, obesity, pregnancy, and some spinal or pelvic surgeries. However, the duration of these single injection blocks has been reported to average only 9 hours, while the pain from the procedure lasts days or weeks. The tibial nerve generally…, The maxillary nerve is a nerve located within the mid-facial region of on the human body. Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping fit aids the prevention of thigh nerve damage. The nerve supplies the skin on the anterior and lateral aspects of the thigh to the level of the knee. When a vehicle comes to an abrupt halt the belt pulls tight and puts pressure on that area damaging the nerve. It emerges at the lateral edge of the psoas muscle group, below the ilioinguinal nerve, and then passes beneath the iliac fascia and the inguinal ligament. 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