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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Numbness in thigh
Answered by
Lama Chahine, MD - Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland - OH
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Numbness in thigh
by bomick, Jun 24, 2009 08:34AM
HI, I'm 30 years old. During my pregnancy I had an abdominal hernia surgery. 2 weeks after I gave birth my hips went out. For a period of 2 weeks I couldn't stand, walk, anything. This went on for a bout a year. On to my question: About 3 years ago I got food poisoning. Since that day, My upper right thigh has never been the same. Pins and Needles. Numb. Hurts to touch. This morning I woke up in severe pain, the worse I had ever felt. It hurts to sleep! I don't know what to do. I don't know who to see. I need help, someone please advise me.
Doctor's Answer
by Lama Chahine, MD, Jun 28, 2009 10:05PM
, Jun 28, 2009 10:05PM
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
Two conditions in particular come to my mind when I read the description of your symptoms.
The first is a condition called meralgia parasthetica. The symptoms of this condition inculde tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of thethigh. The cause of is compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the lateral part (outer part) of the thigh. This condition has many causes including being overweight, certain surgeries and the positioning that occurred during surgery, pregnancy, very tight clothes, diabetes, trauma. Also, in patients who are bed-ridden for prolonged periods of time in a particular position, this condition may occur.
A diagnosis can be made with a test called a nerve conduction study in which conduction along the nerve is measured. Treatment is available to help relieve the symptoms, but this condition may improve on its own.
The other possibility is what is called a radiculopathy, when there is compression of a nerve as it comes out of the spine. The compression could be due to arthritis of the spine or due to a herniated disc. A radiculopathy (what is sometimes referred to as a pinched nerve) often causes shooting pains. The treatment depends on the cause. The evaluation may include an MRI of the lower spine. Following pregnancy and delivery, damage to other nerves such as the lumbar plexus can occur but this would most often be associated with weakness of the hip flexor muscles as well as numbness/tingling.
Evaluation by a neurologist may be of benefit to you and is recommended.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
Two conditions in particular come to my mind when I read the description of your symptoms.
The first is a condition called meralgia parasthetica. The symptoms of this condition inculde tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of thethigh. The cause of is compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the lateral part (outer part) of the thigh. This condition has many causes including being overweight, certain surgeries and the positioning that occurred during surgery, pregnancy, very tight clothes, diabetes, trauma. Also, in patients who are bed-ridden for prolonged periods of time in a particular position, this condition may occur.
A diagnosis can be made with a test called a nerve conduction study in which conduction along the nerve is measured. Treatment is available to help relieve the symptoms, but this condition may improve on its own.
The other possibility is what is called a radiculopathy, when there is compression of a nerve as it comes out of the spine. The compression could be due to arthritis of the spine or due to a herniated disc. A radiculopathy (what is sometimes referred to as a pinched nerve) often causes shooting pains. The treatment depends on the cause. The evaluation may include an MRI of the lower spine. Following pregnancy and delivery, damage to other nerves such as the lumbar plexus can occur but this would most often be associated with weakness of the hip flexor muscles as well as numbness/tingling.
Evaluation by a neurologist may be of benefit to you and is recommended.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
