OVERVIEW
Overview of Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Neuropathy
Lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy, also known as sensory anomalous femoral pain, manifests as localized hypersensitivity or hyperalgesia in the distribution area of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
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Department
Neurology, Pain Medicine, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery
Synonyms
Abnormal sensory femoral pain, Lateral femoral dermatitis
Clinical symptoms
Often occurring on one side, manifested by abnormal sensation of the lateral thigh, such as ants, burning, numbness or pins and needles, or localized sensory hypersensitivity, sensory loss.
Harms
Pain affects walking.
Examination
Physical examination, lumbar spine MRI examination.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be made based on symptoms such as abnormal sensation in the outer thighs and physical examination. Lumbar MRI examination can help to exclude radicular pain caused by lumbar disc herniation and intraspinal tumor.
Treatment principle
First of all, it is necessary to actively treat the primary disease and release the stimulation to the nerve. In addition, symptomatic drug treatment is possible.
Curability
It has a chronic course with a good prognosis.
Dietary advice
Normal diet is sufficient.
Causes
Epidemiology
Males outnumber females by about 3:1.
Etiology
Common causes are localized pressure, trauma, diabetes, alcohol and drug intoxication, atherosclerosis, obesity, abdominal tumors, and uterine compression in pregnancy.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Typical Symptoms
The disease is common in middle-aged men, the onset of the process is slow and gradual, the patient is conscious of the skin of the anterior and lateral thighs as a pinprick of pain, accompanied by abnormal sensations, such as ants, burning sensation, cold, numbness and so on. The pain is intermittent at the beginning of the onset, and gradually becomes persistent, and sometimes the pain can be very intense. Clothing friction, forceful movements, standing or walking for too long can aggravate the abnormal sensation. On physical examination, the sensation, pain and temperature sensation of the skin of the anterolateral thighs are reduced or even disappeared, and some of them are accompanied by skin atrophy, but there is no muscle atrophy, tendon reflexes are normal, and there is no dyskinesia.
Diagnostic basis
1. Abnormal sensation of the lateral thigh on one side, such as ants, burning, numbness or pins and needles.
2. Reduced or even absent sensation, pain and temperature sensation in the skin of the anterolateral thigh.
Treatment
Treatment guidelines
1. Actively treat the original disease to relieve the stimulation of the nerve.
2. Symptomatic treatment.
3. Surgery Surgery can be performed to cut the nerve or release the nerve if the condition is serious and difficult to be relieved and the cause of the disease is unknown.
Drug treatment
Vitamin B1, B2, B12 or corticosteroid should be given to nourish the nerve and eliminate inflammation. When the pain is severe, give analgesics or local closure.
Surgery
Surgery can be performed to cut the nerves or neurolysis if the condition is serious and difficult to be relieved and the cause is unknown.
Other treatments
Physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, etc. can be tried.
Prognosis
The prognosis is good.
Nursing care
Daily care
1. Pay attention to keep warm, avoid catching cold, and avoid humid environment.
2. Pay attention to rest, do not walk or stand for a long time.
Diet
Normal diet.
Other Attention
Avoid localized pressure.