Clinical Presentation

The patient typically complains of numbness and paraesthesia of the upper lateral thigh, which may be painful.

The symptoms are usually unilateral and may be aggravated by walking or standing, and helped by sitting.

Examination reveals numbness of the anterolateral thigh in the area of paraesthesia.

Tapping over the upper lateral inguinal ligament, or extending the hip may make the paraesthesia worse. Motor strength should be normal.

It is associated with pregnancy, tight-fitting clothing and obesity.

It is more common in diabetics and, rarely, may be caused by a tumour or iliopsoas haemorrhage.

The image illustrates the clinical presentation of meralgia paraesthesia.