Realizing that there’s numbness in your thigh can be scary. However, there’s not always a reason to panic. Numbness in your thigh can be caused by a number of reasons, some of them being easily treatable.
Let’s discuss what can cause numbness in the thighs, the symptoms to look out for, what symptoms can be an indication of something more serious, and the treatments available.
Meralgia paresthetica is a common cause of thigh numbness in our outer thigh. It occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which is responsible for providing sensation to the skin surface of your other thigh, becomes compressed.
This can be caused by:
Muscle strain from exercise or injury can cause you to feel pain and occasional numbness in your thigh. Muscle strains and tears are common issues in all parts of your body, but they can be found occurring the most in your legs.
This condition usually goes away with rest and proper stretching. If your leg pain and numbness start to develop worsening symptoms, then seeking medical attention is necessary.
Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve damage condition that can be triggered by diabetes. High blood glucose can harm your body’s nerve fibers, causing you to feel numbness and loss of sensations. The symptoms are usually felt in the legs and feet first but can spread to your hands, arms, and other parts of your body.
This condition can be anywhere from mild to fatal. If you start to have these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor immediately.
Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in your spine is pinched.
This can be caused by:
If these issues occur and put pressure on a nerve root, which is the section of each spinal nerve that exits your spinal cord and goes through an opening in your spine, it can trigger numbness.
Femoral nerve dysfunction causes you to lose movement or sensation in your legs from damage to your femoral nerve. The femoral nerve gives sensation to the front of your thigh and a portion of your lower leg. If this nerve is damaged, it may cause you to experience numbness in your thigh, knee, and leg.
The most apparent symptom of thigh numbness is the loss of sensation in your thigh, which can affect the muscle function in your leg.
Other symptoms you may feel include:
Seek immediate medical treatment if you start to experience any of these more severe symptoms:
The treatments for numbness in the thighs will vary depending on the cause of it. If your numbness is caused by meralgia paresthetica, there are a number of treatments available.
For milder cases, your doctor may recommend home care and lifestyle changes.
This can include:
Working with a physical therapist on stretching and strengthening exercises for your leg muscles or abs can assist with this condition.
They may try phonophoresis as well, which is an ultrasound to help your body absorb medication through your skin, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to block pain.
If your condition is severe, it may be recommended to use:
In the most severe cases, surgery may be recommended by your doctor.
If you’re experiencing any troubling symptoms or are concerned about your vein health, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Rimas Gilvydis at the Gilvydis Vein Clinic. He and the rest of our dedicated team are committed to ensuring that you have the best treatment for your veins available.
Call us today at (815) 827-1098 or schedule your free screening on our website.
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Rimas Gilvydis, M.D, is the co-founder of Northern Illinois Vein Clinic (NIVC) in Rockford, Illinois, and the founder of Gilvydis Vein Clinic (GVC) in Naperville, Sycamore, and Geneva, Illinois. A board-certified interventionalist and diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine, Dr. Gilvydis has been treating varicose veins with minimally invasive techniques since they were first introduced.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.