Have you been experiencing numbness or pain in the upper part of your thigh, or maybe you’ve noticed that your knee feels unusually unstable? You could be experiencing the symptoms of femoral nerve compression, a condition that can significantly affect your daily life.
Your femoral nerve runs from your lower spine through your pelvis and thigh. This nerve transmits sensations from the front part of the thigh and inner lower leg to your brain. It’s also responsible for controlling the muscles that let you extend your knee and stabilize your leg.
When something puts pressure on this vital nerve, you can develop frustrating symptoms such as pain, weakness, and numbness in the front part of your upper thigh. These symptoms can cause additional pain in the groin and anterior hip area.
At his practice in Houston, Texas, board-certified surgeon Anthony Echo, MD, specializes in diagnosing and surgically treating femoral nerve compression. If you require surgical treatment, his expertise and specialized training in nerve repair surgery and microsurgery mean you get the tailored care you need.
Keep reading to gain a better understanding of femoral nerve compression.
Femoral nerve compression doesn’t arrive unnoticed — it causes symptoms that tell you something is wrong. Here’s a closer look at some symptoms that could signal femoral nerve compression:
Usually beginning subtly, these symptoms may develop as a pain in your groin and upper thigh, often worse with sitting, but can improve with standing. The pain and numbness often concentrate near the groin crease and is located in the crease that separates your pelvis from the upper thigh.
These symptoms typically affect the muscles in your thighs, called the quadriceps. When this muscle group isn’t functioning as it should, you may notice that extending your knee or walking becomes challenging.
You might even notice that your knee feels unstable or buckles unexpectedly. These are all symptoms of femoral nerve compression.
Another telltale sign of femoral nerve compression is a loss of sensation, usually in the lower inner thigh above your knee. This lack of feeling can extend down to your ankle. However, the most common symptom is a deep groin pain that is worse with sitting.
These signs all mean it’s time for a closer look. Since other conditions might trigger similar or overlapping symptoms, such as meralgia paresthetica, which affects the nerve to the outer thigh, be sure to seek an expert diagnosis.
Femoral nerve compression doesn’t develop without reason. However, many issues can trigger this condition, including:
Determining the cause can help your provider address the problem and create the best treatment plan possible. For an accurate assessment, be sure to talk to a provider specializing in nerve conditions, like Dr. Echo.
Absolutely! The first step is seeing a nerve specialist, like Dr. Echo, for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis.
In addition to discussing your medical history, relevant lifestyle factors, and symptoms, Dr. Echo conducts a physical examination and uses special imaging tools, such as electromyography (EMG) and MRI, to confirm nerve compression.
Once your diagnosis is complete, Dr. Echo creates a personalized nerve treatment plan, considering your unique needs and what offers the best prognosis.
Most patients with femoral nerve compression require surgical intervention to release the nerve, address symptoms, and prevent additional complications. As an expert in microsurgery and nerve repair, Dr. Echo uses the most advanced techniques to provide you with the best outcome.
The surgery involves carefully releasing the femoral nerve in the thigh and pelvis without harming the surrounding tissue. Dr. Echo also addresses bands of tissue in the lower pelvis that can constrict the nerve.
Taking a comprehensive approach to treatment ensures that the entire length of the femoral nerve has the space it needs to function without interference. As a result, most patients experience lasting relief from their symptoms and restored leg function after their recovery.
Ready to learn more about femoral nerve compression and how Dr. Echo can help? Schedule a consultation online or over the phone at our Houston, Texas, office today.
