[4][2] The most common symptom is pain, paresthesias, or dysthesias on the anterolateral surface of the thigh that extends just above the knee.

[3][8][5][2][6][4] (The term "meralgia paraesthetica" combines four Greek roots to mean "thigh pain with abnormal sensations".)

[6][7][4][8][3] The site of compression is often at or near the inguinal ligament as the LFCN passes between the upper front hip bone (ilium) and the inguinal ligament near the attachment at the anterior superior iliac spine (the upper point of the hip bone).

[4][2][3] It can also be due to conditions which increase intra-abdominal volume and consequently pressure on the LFCN such as ascites, obesity,[7] and pregnancy.

[7] Iatrogenic injuries to the LFCN are also possible and can happen due to peri-operative positioning[3] or spinal, pelvic, and abdominal operations.

[2][10] In cases where MP is elicited by strenuous physical activity, it's thought that anatomic variations may predispose the LFCN to compression with certain limb movements.

[4][2][6] The clinical examination may include checking the region that the patient is reporting paresthetias/dysthesias as well as sensory differences between each leg if the symptoms are unilateral.

Patient history might include relevant details about recent surgeries, injuries, lifestyle activities that could irritate the nerve.

[5][2][4] The nerve block test of the LFCN is considered positive if the patient has immediate symptom relief lasting 30–40 minutes after the injection.

[12] Neurophysiological testing can include sensory nerve conduction studies or somatosensory evoked potentials.

[4][2] In one study evaluating the natural history of Meralgia Paresthetica, 62% of patients with no treatment had complete symptom resolution after 2 years.

This includes eliminating tight fitting clothing and tight belts, losing weight, avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms, and physical therapy to stretch the muscles and tendons present along the course of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

[8] An emerging non-surgical treatment is radiofrequency ablation to destroy the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

[8] With a neuroectomy, there will be permanent numbness distal to the site of transaction because the nerve is transected and removed.

[3][13] There is an association between Meralgia Paresthetica (MP) and age, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes.