Meralgia paresthetica is related to degenerative pubic symphysis

Objective. To investigate the relationship between meralgia paresthetica, a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that often starts in middle age, and radiological degeneration of the pubic symphysis. Methods. A case-control study of patients aged 40 years and older with mera lgia paresthetica who underwent surgical release of the lateral femoral cut aneous nerve; cases were included only when a pelvic radiograph was availab le. The control group was from a population study including persons aged 55 years and older and was matched to cases (4 controls per case) for sex and age as far as possible. We checked patient records from general practice t o ensure control subjects had no symptoms of meralgia paresthetica during t he previous 10 years. Radiological degeneration of the pubic symphysis was defined as present when 2 of 3 independent observers noted degeneration on the radiograph. Results, Mantel-Haenszel procedure (stratified for age group and radiologic al osteoarthritis of the hip) showed a positive relationship (p = 0.004, OR = 4.38) between radiological degenerative pubic symphysis and meralgia par esthetica. In a separate analysis limited to men we also found this positiv e relationship. Conclusion. This study confirmed a positive relationship between radiologic al degeneration of the pubic symphysis and meralgia paresthetica.