Meralgia paresthetica

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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Treatment for meralgia paresthetica focuses on relieving compression of the nerve, which may include self-care measures, such as wearing looser clothing or losing weight. These conservative measures are effective for most people, with pain usually going away on its own within a few months. Mild pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, others) may be helpful if you have bothersome pain.

Medications
If symptoms persist for more than two months or your pain is severe, treatment may include:

  • Corticosteroid injections. Injections can reduce inflammation and temporarily relieve pain.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants. These medications may relieve your pain.
  • Gabapentin (Neurontin) or pregabalin (Lyrica). These anti-seizure medications may help lessen your painful symptoms.

Surgery
Rarely, surgery is considered to decompress the nerve. This option is only for people with severe and long-lasting symptoms.

References
  1. NINDS meralgia paresthetica information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/meralgia_paresthetica/meralgia_paresthetica.htm. Accessed Nov. 13, 2008.
  2. Burning thigh pain (meralgia paresthetica). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00340. Accessed Nov. 13, 2008.
  3. Anderson BC, et al. Meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment). http://www.uptodate.com/jhome/index.html. Accessed Nov. 13, 2008.
  4. Swanson, J. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 3, 2008.
  5. Compressive Structural Disorders. In: Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/114781964-3/786370418/1488/264.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3618-0..10029-3--s0310_1872. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
  6. Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves: Mononeuropathy, Mononeuropathy Multiplex, and Plexopathy. In: Ropper AH et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 8th ed. Boston, Mass.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=979659&searchStr=mononeuropathies. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
  7. Aminoff MJ et al. Nervous System Disorders: Peripheral Neuropathies. In: McPhee SJ et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009. 48th ed. San Francisco, Calif.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=13195. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.

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Feb. 26, 2009

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