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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Numbness in right 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 right thigh
by Chris21354, Jul 19, 2008 10:15AM
I had surgery for a ruptured ulser on March 28th 2008. I was in ICU for a week and a two week regular hospital stay. I had no Idea that my right thigh was numb with all the medication I was on. I was not able to get out of bed without a walker until the last week there.
I went to my first sceduled after surgery appointment and told the Surgen then that I had a problem with the medication I was on, which she changed and that my leg was numb and I was experiancing shooting pains. She told me it was due to malnutrition. I am 5'5 1/2" and weighed 125 lbs.
This is not super bad but a irratant. I can walk but I cannot stand to be touched there.
I have no insurance so I dont want to go back and see a doctor.
Is she correct? or what?? She even didnt know anything about the perscriptions she had me on.
It has been 4 months since surgery. Will it get better? It seems like the pains come more often like it wants to wake up.
I went to my first sceduled after surgery appointment and told the Surgen then that I had a problem with the medication I was on, which she changed and that my leg was numb and I was experiancing shooting pains. She told me it was due to malnutrition. I am 5'5 1/2" and weighed 125 lbs.
This is not super bad but a irratant. I can walk but I cannot stand to be touched there.
I have no insurance so I dont want to go back and see a doctor.
Is she correct? or what?? She even didnt know anything about the perscriptions she had me on.
It has been 4 months since surgery. Will it get better? It seems like the pains come more often like it wants to wake up.
Doctor's Answer
by Lama Chahine, MD, Jul 22, 2008 07:06PM
, Jul 22, 2008 07:06PM
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 review your medical history and examine you personally, I can not give you a diagnosis nor recommend a specific treatment. I will try to provide you with some information regarding thigh/numbness and pains.
It sounds like you were in bed without movement for a long time; you have been through a lot lately. Being in bed for a long time can cause deconditioning, or a generalized weakening of the muscles that should improve with time once you start moving again and physical therapy.
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 that comes to mind 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.
You may benefit from evaluation by a neurologist, particularly if your symptoms persist or worsen or you develop new symptoms.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful. Good luck
Without the ability to review your medical history and examine you personally, I can not give you a diagnosis nor recommend a specific treatment. I will try to provide you with some information regarding thigh/numbness and pains.
It sounds like you were in bed without movement for a long time; you have been through a lot lately. Being in bed for a long time can cause deconditioning, or a generalized weakening of the muscles that should improve with time once you start moving again and physical therapy.
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 that comes to mind 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.
You may benefit from evaluation by a neurologist, particularly if your symptoms persist or worsen or you develop new symptoms.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful. Good luck
Member Comments (3)
by twinbee, Jul 19, 2008 12:04PM
To: Chris21354
I was just about to post the same question. I had an RF ablation in January for my a-fib and a-flutter and as soon as I was awake in recovery I had numbness in both of my thighs (outter thigh area from hip to top of knee). I was told that it was probably due to either laying flat on my back for over 8 hours, or that the novacaine irritated a nerve and that I should get the feeling back soon. The next day I did get the feeling back in my left thigh, however as of today my right thigh is still numb. It feels like my thigh is on "fire", and there are times when I can't have anything touching it. I also get the feeling like someone is sticking sharp needles in my thigh. I know it is neuropathy, and I don;t know if I should see a neurologist, or if there is any medication to take to help get the feeling back. I keep getting different answers from my PCP and the EP.
by twinbee, Jul 21, 2008 09:08PM
Is this a doctor forum? I noticed the doctors pick and choose what questions to answer. Why is that?
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