Dear HoneyBun,

You mentioned something that makes me think you may not be suffering from MP, OR maybe you have MP PLUS something else going on simultaneously.

MP is caused by damage to the LFCN. (Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) It is a purely sensory nerve and does NOT involve any muscles. When you said My leg often goes out while walking. a flag immediately went up in my mind because MP does not affect muscle.

shooting pain that radiates up and down my left leg. Below the knee? If so, it is not MP. MP is confined to the thigh ONLY.

It sounds like you may have a problem with the femoral nerve, not the LFCN.

MP alone is limited to cutaneous (skin) area of the thigh only. I have had MP for about 35 years. Your symptoms sound like you have more than MP.

I hope you investigate your situation more to be sure you have a proper diagnosis.

I agree... MP is sensory only.

Any muscle pain, or knee issues, or pain in the back of the leg, is something else. It is possible to have more than one thing going on, especially if you have some lumbar problem.

Thank you for responding. I think it is possible I may have MP + Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, the doctor did say that is a possibility, but he does feel like I have MP for sure. He said it is possible for the pain from femoral nerve to cause a radiating feeling in my shin area as well in thigh and knee. I don't have a radiating feeling in my shin to often though, its mostly in groin area. I have found that one of the symptoms with MP is your leg will jerk/twitch and that could be what is causing my leg to go out while walking. He never mentioned anything about a LFCN, he just spoke about the femoral nerve and he said he believes it is whats causing me pain. I am wondering what is the difference between the LFCN and the femoral nerve, I will have to do some research on that. Thank you so much, your advice helps a lot. It is very important I do get a proper diagnosis.


I have a 6.5 in long x 1 inch wide scar that starts right over pelvic area. And at the top is a small blot clot that occurred about 4 months ago. The doctors say the blood clot should be no problem unless it gets bigger. I am wondering if it has any connection with what is causing my pain, the Dr's say it does not.

The femoral nerve is different from the LATERAL femoral nerve which causes MP.

Here is a link... illustration 2B shows both nerves in the drawing.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2109.html#

The femoral nerve affects a different area of the leg including the shin and knee. The lateral femoral nerve does not reach the knee, and is confined to the front and partial side of the thigh only.

The femoral nerve affects muscle functions. Pain from it will be in the groin area.

The LATERAL femoral nerve of MP does NOT affect muscle functions or strength and is not in the groin but on the side of the upper thigh.

Femoral nerve damage is NOT MP... MP is only a sensory thing, on the front and side of the thigh, and not typically in the deeper groin area.

If your doctor does not understand this distinction...find another doctor.

Again, your symptoms are NOT those that would indicate Meralgia Paresthetica. (MP) A quote from you is puzzling .... I have found that one of the symptoms with MP is your leg will jerk/twitch and that could be what is causing my leg to go out while walking. That is definitely NOT a symptom of MP and I am curious where you found information to make you believe it would be a symptom of MP. MP does NOT affect muscle and will NOT cause your leg to jerk/twitch or go out while walking.

The ONLY nerve involved in MP is the LFCN which is the lateral (meaning side) femoral (meaning femur) cutaneous (meaning SKIN) and the n for nerve. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is NOT the same as the femoral nerve.

You mention that the doctor thinks you have MP for sure but never mentioned the LFCN? he does feel like I have MP for sure. He never mentioned anything about a LFCN, he just spoke about the femoral nerve and he said he believes it is what is causing me pain. This is not consistent with MP at all.

You may have misunderstood what the doctor said but if you are sure about his statements, find another doctor quickly. Run, don't walk and get another doctor.

You mentioned a scar but not what caused the scar. Did you have a surgical procedure? Nerves can be damaged during surgical procedures and you might want to consider that possibility before jumping to conclusions of MP or CRPS.

mrsD knows a lot more than I do and I believe she and I both agree that your symptoms are not indicative of MP.

I have lived with MP for over 35 years so I feel like I know quite a bit about it.

How have you come to the conclusion that you have MP? Just this ONE doctor saying you have MP? What testing has been done if any? Has he ruled out other possibilities and by what means?

I think you are going down the wrong track and if you don't find the right diagnosis, you won't be able to get the proper help and treatment you need and deserve.

Please seek another opinion from another doctor and keep us informed.