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Meralgia paresthetica secondary to limb length discrepancy: case report.
1Niagara Health Center, WI, USA.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|March 20, 1999
Summary
Limb length discrepancy can cause meralgia paresthetica, a condition causing thigh pain. Correcting a 2cm difference with a shoe lift eliminated symptoms in one patient, suggesting a novel cause for this nerve entrapment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Meralgia paresthetica is characterized by lateral thigh pain due to lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment under the inguinal ligament.
- Commonly attributed causes include abdominal distension, tight clothing, and hip hyperextension.
- Limb length discrepancy has not been previously identified as a cause.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old male presented with chronic right meralgia paresthetica.
- Radiological examination revealed a 2 cm shorter left leg compared to the right.
- Nerve conduction studies showed absent right lateral femoral cutaneous nerve activity.
Findings:
- A single-subject study involved alternating 2-week periods of wearing a 1.5 cm lift in either the left or right shoe.
- Pain and numbness in the right thigh were monitored.
- Pain persisted with the lift in the right shoe but resolved when the lift was in the left shoe.
Implications:
- This case suggests limb length discrepancy as a potential, previously unrecognized cause of meralgia paresthetica.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering biomechanical factors in nerve entrapment syndromes.
- Further research into the pathomechanics of limb length discrepancy-induced meralgia paresthetica is warranted.