Outcomes of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve decompression surgery in meralgia paraesthetica: assessment of pain, sensory deficits, and quality of life.

IF 2 3区医学 Q2 ORTHOPEDICS

International Orthopaedics Pub Date : 2025-03-07 DOI:10.1007/s00264-025-06463-x

Francesco Reuter, Karl Schwaiger, Paul Panzenbeck, Michaela Gruber, Maximilian Mahrhofer, Martin Geroldinger, Andreas Gohritz, Gottfried Wechselberger, Elisabeth Russe

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: Meralgia paraesthetica (MP) is a rare neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), characterized by thigh pain, paraesthesia, or sensory loss. When conservative treatments fail, surgical interventions such as neurolysis or neurectomy are considered. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical decompression of the LFCN in alleviating pain, addressing sensory deficits, and improving quality of life.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 26 patients who underwent LFCN decompression surgery between 2015 and 2023, with a minimum follow-up period of one year. Outcomes were assessed using pre- and postoperative questionnaires, including the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and the Pain Disability Index (PDI).

Results: The cohort consisted of 15 males and 11 females, with 81% reporting symptom onset following prior surgeries or trauma. Postoperatively, 95.8% of patients experienced pain relief, with 76.9% achieving complete pain resolution (NRS 0). There was a significant reduction in average perceived pain (from 6.6 ± 1.9 to 0.7 ± 1.1; p < 0.001) and maximum perceived pain (8.0 ± 1.54 to 1.0 ± 1.67; p < 0.001). Full sensory function was restored in 61.2% of patients, and quality of life scores improved markedly, with an average increase of 8.4 out of 10 points (± 1.9; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that neurolysis of the LFCN is highly effective in the treatment of refractory MP, offering substantial pain relief, sensory restoration, and improved quality of life. Furthermore, patients with previous injuries or surgeries benefited most from NL, suggesting that these factors serve as positive prognostic indicators.

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来源期刊

International Orthopaedics 医学-整形外科

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

7.40%

发文量

360

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： International Orthopaedics, the Official Journal of the Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie (SICOT) , publishes original papers from all over the world. The articles deal with clinical orthopaedic surgery or basic research directly connected with orthopaedic surgery. International Orthopaedics will also link all the members of SICOT by means of an insert that will be concerned with SICOT matters. Finally, it is expected that news and information regarding all aspects of orthopaedic surgery, including meetings, panels, instructional courses, etc. will be brought to the attention of the readers. Manuscripts submitted for publication must contain a statement to the effect that all human studies have been approved by the appropriate ethics committee and have therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. It should also be stated clearly in the text that all persons gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. Details that might disclose the identity of the subjects under study should be omitted. Reports of animal experiments must state that the "Principles of laboratory animal care" (NIH publication No. 85-23, revised 1985) were followed, as well as specific national laws (e.g. the current version of the German Law on the Protection of Animals) where applicable. The editors reserve the right to reject manuscripts that do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements. The author will be held responsible for false statements or for failure to fulfil the above-mentioned requirements.