Femoral nerve dysfunction

Disease	Injury	Nutrition	Poison

Special Topic	Surgery	Symptoms	Test

Femoral nerve damage

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Femoral nerve dysfunction

Alternative Names:

Neuropathy - femoral nerve

Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at increasing mobility and independence. The cause of the damage should be identified and treated if necessary. In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery is spontaneous.

Conservative treatment is given if there is sudden onset of symptoms, minimal sensation or movement changes, no history of trauma to the area, and no evidence of nerve degeneration.

Corticosteroids injected into the area may reduce swelling and pressure on the nerve in some cases. Pain medication may be needed to control symptoms. Various other medications (phenytoin, carbamazepine, gabapentin or tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline) may reduce the stabbing pains that some people experience. Whenever possible, medication use should be avoided or reduced to lessen the risk of side effects.

Surgical removal of lesions that press on the nerve may benefit some cases.

Physical therapy may be helpful to maintain muscle strength. Orthopedic appliances such as braces or splints may aid in walking. Vocational counseling, occupational therapy, job changes or retraining, or similar interventions may be recommended.

Expectations (prognosis):

If the cause of the femoral nerve dysfunction can be identified and successfully treated, there is a possibility of full recovery. In some cases, there may be partial or complete loss of movement or sensation resulting in some degreeof disability. Nerve pain may be quite uncomfortable and persist for a long period of time. Trauma to the femoral area may also injure the femoral artery, which can cause fatal hemorrhage.

Complications:

A complication is a recurrent or an unnoticed injury to the leg.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of femoral nerve dysfunction develop.

Review Date: 5/8/2003
Reviewed By: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., M.Sc., Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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