Groin Pain

[satmat]

I am a 33 year old female and have had left sided groin pain for
about 1 and a half years.  My GYN thought it was due to ovarian
cysts and endometriosis and I had a hysterectomy in May 99 to remove all but my right ovary.  After the hysterectomy, I continued to experience this pain in my left groin and the top of
my thigh.  It seems to bother me the most when I am on my feet for long periods of time or sit for long periods of time.  Bothers me the least when lying flat. I have had my bladder checked to see if it could be the cause because I have chronic hematuria, but it was fine.  I have also had various other tests done.  I had a sonogram that showed a possible tumor.  I
was sent to a orthopedic oncologist who ordered a Cat Scan, MRI, and Bone Scan.  These all came back negative for a tumor or any
sign of cancer.  The oncologist seemed to think that the mass on the sonogram was a lymph node that was possibly enlarged.  He ordered blood tests which all came back ok.  He also did a physical exam which he said showed thickening in the muscle in the inguinal area on the left.  He said it was possible that I could have injured that area and scar tissue is the cause of the pain.  He did not have any suggestions as to how to treat this problem. I continue to have pain and I can feel that area; the left side has a "hard" area that is not present on the right.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  The only thing the Dr. did suggest was possibly to have trigger point injections administered and see if that would help.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Sheila:

Sorry to hear about your pain.  Did your MRI view the spine?  If there were no changes in the lumbar area then that is good.  Sometimes with surgery, the nerve roots are stretched and that can cause pain.  However, it is alittle far out from surgery.  You may have a lymph node, or muscle hypertrophy that is causing problems with the nerve, but it is difficult to tell over the internet.  I would suggest that seeing a neurologist might help to see if the pain fits a dermatome or not.  I would take the MRI of the spine with you as that will help alot.

Sorry that I am not much help.

CCF Neuro MD

[norma]

One month after delivering my daughter by Casearean section I
experienced the same symptoms Sheila has.  The groin pain, tingling sensation in my inner thigh, a crawling prickly pain which would get worse just after sitting for some time.  I saw
five different doctors and all told me there was nothing wrong with me. At one instance I also felt the tingling crawling sensation on my cheek. Last year I went to a neurologist who
ordered an MRI of the brain and lumbar.  Everything came back normal. The doctor told me I had paresthesia(nerves) as he put it.  He prescribed Neurontin and I feel much better. There are some days with a mild sensations. My question does paresthesia lead to other neurological diseases?  My doctor has said no.  Should I seek another opinion?

[Sheila]

Thanks for the comments.  You had mentioned that it might be a
good idea to consult a neurologist with this problem.  What records would I need to take?  I do not know if they looked at
my spine or not.  They only did a pelvic MRI.  The bone scan was
full body.  I feel as if the oncologist really only looked for
signs of a tumor or cancer.  I am not sure if he looked for any
other problem.  He did not offer any further help.

[Sheila]

Thanks for the comments.  You had mentioned that it might be a
good idea to consult a neurologist with this problem.  What records would I need to take?  I do not know if they looked at
my spine or not.  They only did a pelvic MRI.  The bone scan was
full body.  I feel as if the oncologist really only looked for
signs of a tumor or cancer.  I am not sure if he looked for any
other problem.  He did not offer any further help.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Sheila:

I would take your MRI and any lab work that you have had, such as a CBC, electrolytes, sedimentation rate, B12 level, etc.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[anonymous doc]

meralgia paresthetica is common ailment seen in pregnant women, the terminal branch of the femoral nerve (lateral femoral cutaneous/obturator) can be compressed by surrounding structures such as muscle/scar tissue and create a painful neuropathy. I would see a neuromusculoskeletal specialist who pays attention to structure (chiropractor), I had this once and it was resolved with some stretching, massage and spinal adjustments. Good luck.

[Sheila]

Thanks for the comment.  I will mention it to my current doctor
and see about a referral.

[Sheila]

I would like to know what causes meralgia paresthetica.  It has been over eight years since I was pregnant and I do not have a weight problem.  I do feel as if I might have injured that area two years ago when I purchased a mountain bike and did lots of riding for a couple of months.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[stacey]

To the anon. doctor - I am at a loss to help my mother.  We have been to tons of doctors (a very respected neuroligist, etc.).  Mom was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy around Thanksgiving of last year.  Since then she has progressively gotten worse.  The nerves and muscles were tested (electrically?) and the nerves were found to be dead.  The problem - She continues to have pain, cannot chew well and has little taste - cannot see well and also continues to be dizzy daily (at times cannot walk).  She is also extremely depressed by her appearance.  We fought to get a referral to a plastic surgeon (for appearances, and hoping it would help with vision and chewing) and before seeing the surgeon her office called and canceled as there "was nothing they could do."  PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION OF A DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL that could help my mother, her appearance, pain, etc.  I would be forever greatful.  I will check this site periodically (pretty lousy at this internet thing) and/or my email ***@****.  Thank you.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Stacey:

I am sorry to hear about your mother.  I am not sure I completely understand.  Bell's palsy is the loss of muscle power and control in the facial nerve.  It doesn not cause vision loss (different cranial nerve).  In addition, taste is not completely conveyed by the facial nerve, it is mostly the 5th and 10th cranial nerve (facial is the 7th).  In addition, chewing is mostly the 5th cranial nerve.  So, I am not sure how here taste has radically changed from a simple Bell's.  It sounds like she has more than Bell's palsy.  What did the MRI show?  How is her mental status?  I would seek another opinion because she has too much involvement for her to have a simple Bell's.

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Stacey:

I am sorry to hear about your mother.  I am not sure I completely understand.  Bell's palsy is the loss of muscle power and control in the facial nerve.  It doesn not cause vision loss (different cranial nerve).  In addition, taste is not completely conveyed by the facial nerve, it is mostly the 5th and 10th cranial nerve (facial is the 7th).  In addition, chewing is mostly the 5th cranial nerve.  So, I am not sure how here taste has radically changed from a simple Bell's.  It sounds like she has more than Bell's palsy.  What did the MRI show?  How is her mental status?  I would seek another opinion because she has too much involvement for her to have a simple Bell's.

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Sheila:

Meralgia paresthetica is caused by pressure on the L2L3 root nerves out of the spinal cord.  It does not cause pelvic pain, only lateral leg pain along the thigh.  The increased weight induced by pregnancy causes this.  

CCF Neuro MD

[Sheila]

My General Surgeon still thinks that the problem is due to a torn
or damaged muscle in the inguinal region due to being able to feel the thickening on the left side.  He wants to try some type of injections to see if it will heal the muscle.  What do you think of this idea?  Could a nerve problem present as something you can feel?

[casseaux]

A related discussion, PAIN IN GROIN was started.

[priceless50]

A related discussion, Groin Pain was started.