Numbness in my leg

[Kilally]

I would like some advise please. I went to a neurologist last week n I'm not happy the service I received, I think he should have treated me n reviewed my complaint in more detail. So any advise would be great. I went to see this consultant about numbness in my right leg. Just above my knee, outer aspect from hip to knee. It burns n stings when standing. And it feels numb all the time. My neurologist said i have meralgia parastesisa. But here is the thing he never checked the numbness in my leg he never performed any test to see how bad it was or much of my leg was numb. He asked me if he stuck a needle in my leg could I feel it ? But never tried it. Or even touched that part of my leg. Just want to know if this consultant should have performed some tests first before diagnosing meralgia parastesisa. He Checked my reflex in my hands n leg but that was it. He was more concerned that I had 2 odd socks on than the numbness in my leg. When I asked him about meralgia parastesisa he told me to google it. ! Now to give u some medical history, I hurted my back in a work accident in 2014 I have a prolapse disk in my l4-l5 I have bulging disks in t1-t2 t7-t8  I was complaint of sciatica in both legs n numbness in hand n leg. In 2015 I became pregent n this is when the numbness in my leg got very bad n unbearable. I am after having my daughter but numbness is still there so this is why I got it checked out. Is this numbness in my leg as a result from my back problem and what tests should have this doctor done, should I see someone else. ? I paid 320 euro to see him ? Any advise would be great thank you

[Tuckamore]

Hello Kilally,

Welcome to our Pain Management Forum. I am sorry to hear about your pain - and the way your  were treated by the Neuro.

If you goggled your DX you know that  "Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in your outer thigh. The cause of meralgia paresthetica is compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the skin surface of your thigh." (From Mayo Clinic Website).

Meralgia paresthetica  is a chronic neurological disorder which involves a single nerve called the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh. Sometimes that same nerve is also called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

I would absolutely consult another Neurologist. It's concerning that the Neuro you consulted didn't examine your thigh. It is true that this DX (diagnosis) is generally made by HX (history) and Clinical Examination. The Neuro may very well be correct. You may have Meralgia paresthetica. However given your HX I would want other possibilites r/o (ruled out).

Electromyographic (EMG) nerve-conduction studies may be required - x-ray or CAT scans can also be beneficial in the diagnostic process.

There are treatments that can help your condition. Did the Neuro suggest any treatments or medications?

I hope you'll research Neurologists, find yourself a good one and make an appointment. Please let us know what you find out. If you have additional questions - or I wasn't clear please feel free to ask. I'll look forward to hearing more from you.

Best of Luck and Take Care,
~Tuck

[cmac66]

Neuralgia paresthesia. Can be from nerve irritation (possible from back) poor circulation, diabetes, thyroid disease. Sciatic nerve can cause these symptoms especially if there is pressure on it from bulging discs. You cannot be properly diagnosed or know which nerves are involved if doctor did not check to see where numbness starts and ends. I would see a different neurologist. They can also do nerve conduction studies.and EMG