Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Symptoms
Treatment Options
Long-Term Effects
Femoral neuropathy targets the nerve that runs from the pelvis down to the thigh, which is essential for moving your leg and experiencing sensation.This condition can cause sharp, stinging pain and may lead to a loss of muscle control. It is different from the discomforts ofsciatica, which affects a different nerve path.
This article will discuss how to live with this condition, offering guidance on sleeping and sitting adjustments to help find relief from the symptoms of femoral neuropathy.
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Femoral Neuropathy: What Happens?
When someone has femoral neuropathy, it means the femoral nerve in their leg isn’t working right because it’s damaged. This can happen for a few reasons and there are certain factors that make people more likely to get it.
Some causes of femoral neuropathy are:
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of femoral neuropathy because high blood sugar levels can damage nerves over time.This damage, known asdiabetic neuropathy, affects various nerves in the body, including the femoral nerve.
High glucose levels interfere with the nerves' ability to transmit signals properly and weaken the walls of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves with nutrients and oxygen, leading to neuropathy symptoms.
A Word From VerywellActivities such as short-distance walking, stair training, and using a stationary bike can be particularly beneficial for femoral neuropathy. Consulting with a physical therapist and healthcare provider is recommended, as they can prescribe tailored exercises and stretches to address your specific symptoms and needs.—AMY KWAN, PT, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Activities such as short-distance walking, stair training, and using a stationary bike can be particularly beneficial for femoral neuropathy. Consulting with a physical therapist and healthcare provider is recommended, as they can prescribe tailored exercises and stretches to address your specific symptoms and needs.—AMY KWAN, PT, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Activities such as short-distance walking, stair training, and using a stationary bike can be particularly beneficial for femoral neuropathy. Consulting with a physical therapist and healthcare provider is recommended, as they can prescribe tailored exercises and stretches to address your specific symptoms and needs.
—AMY KWAN, PT, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
How Femoral Neuropathy Symptoms Feel
Femoral neuropathy affects the femoral nerve and can lead to a range of symptoms that impact daily life. Here are the common symptoms:
Diagnostic Steps
Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing femoral neuropathy and preventing further nerve damage or complications.
Your healthcare provider may also perform a thorough physical examination to help assess muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation in the affected leg.
Diagnostic tests and procedures to identify femoral neuropathy include:
Treatment Options to Manage Femoral Neuropathy Pain
It’s essential for people with femoral neuropathy to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive pain management treatment plan. Treatment options to manage femoral neuropathy pain typically include:
It is also important to manage any underlying medical conditions contributing to femoral neuropathy, such as diabetes.
If you have femoral neuropathy, trying the following tips may help with sleep and everyday movement:
Long-Term Effects and Complications
Femoral neuropathy can lead to various long-term effects and complications, including:
Summary
Managing femoral neuropathy requires a comprehensive approach that involves close collaboration with healthcare providers. Understanding the underlying causes, getting treatment, and working closely with your medical team are essential for effectively managing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing overall quality of life.
Seeking timely medical attention, adhering to prescribed treatments, and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers are key steps toward managing this condition and promoting long-term well-being.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Femoral nerve dysfunction.Medline Plus.Sciatica.The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction.What is femoral neuropathy?Medline Plus.Diabetic nerve problems.American Diabetes Association.Additional types of neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.Preston, D.C.Femoral neuropathy. Science direct. 2009.Ni L, Yao Z, Zhao Y, Zhang T, Wang J, Chen Z.Electrical stimulation therapy for peripheral nerve injury.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1081458. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1081458American Diabetes Association.Steps to prevent or delay nerve damage.Saint Luke’s.Understanding femoral neuropathy.Washington University Physicians.Sleep positioning and nerve compression syndromes.OSF Healthcare.Understanding femoral neuropathy.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Femoral nerve dysfunction.Medline Plus.Sciatica.The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction.What is femoral neuropathy?Medline Plus.Diabetic nerve problems.American Diabetes Association.Additional types of neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.Preston, D.C.Femoral neuropathy. Science direct. 2009.Ni L, Yao Z, Zhao Y, Zhang T, Wang J, Chen Z.Electrical stimulation therapy for peripheral nerve injury.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1081458. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1081458American Diabetes Association.Steps to prevent or delay nerve damage.Saint Luke’s.Understanding femoral neuropathy.Washington University Physicians.Sleep positioning and nerve compression syndromes.OSF Healthcare.Understanding femoral neuropathy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Medline Plus.Femoral nerve dysfunction.Medline Plus.Sciatica.The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction.What is femoral neuropathy?Medline Plus.Diabetic nerve problems.American Diabetes Association.Additional types of neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.Preston, D.C.Femoral neuropathy. Science direct. 2009.Ni L, Yao Z, Zhao Y, Zhang T, Wang J, Chen Z.Electrical stimulation therapy for peripheral nerve injury.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1081458. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1081458American Diabetes Association.Steps to prevent or delay nerve damage.Saint Luke’s.Understanding femoral neuropathy.Washington University Physicians.Sleep positioning and nerve compression syndromes.OSF Healthcare.Understanding femoral neuropathy.
Medline Plus.Femoral nerve dysfunction.
Medline Plus.Sciatica.
The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction.What is femoral neuropathy?
Medline Plus.Diabetic nerve problems.
American Diabetes Association.Additional types of neuropathy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.
Preston, D.C.Femoral neuropathy. Science direct. 2009.
Ni L, Yao Z, Zhao Y, Zhang T, Wang J, Chen Z.Electrical stimulation therapy for peripheral nerve injury.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1081458. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1081458
American Diabetes Association.Steps to prevent or delay nerve damage.
Saint Luke’s.Understanding femoral neuropathy.
Washington University Physicians.Sleep positioning and nerve compression syndromes.
OSF Healthcare.Understanding femoral neuropathy.
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