David Manzo
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Portugese (2018)
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In late June on the Camino Portugues I developed Meralgia paresthetica. After completing the Camino it lessened but still comes back after walks of 10 miles or more. Anyone shared this experience and has found ways to prevent future flair ups? Are there exercises that help?
It’s not a sharp pain, rather it’s a numbness in the front of the left thigh and a sensitivity to touch.
Thanks.
What kind of a Dr. do you visit? Chiropracter, Orthopedic, or Neuroligist?
Thank you!!! You described my situation perfectly including carrying my pack incorrectly. Only difference with that only my left thigh felt numb. About 1/2 way through the Camimo I started to use a transport service for my pack. Without the service I’m not sure I could have completed the Camimo Portugués. I’m wondering if there are exercises that might help me prepare for the next Camino. Thanks againDuring my camino in 2016 the front of both my thighs turned numb and sometimes tingly. It feels a bit like the anaesthesia at the dentist, only in my legs. I couldn't figure out what was causing this, until I met a hopitalera in France who had been a physiotherapist. She immediately asked me how I carried my pack. Sure enough, I carried it wrong. I wore the hipbelt around my hips (snugly strapped), instead of letting it rest on my hips. Subtle difference, but an important one.
Back home I consulted another physiotherapist who told me the first one had been spot on with her diagnosis. Because I wore the hipbelt around my hips, I thereby 'locked' my hipbones and because of that pinched/damaged a nerve in the groin area, resulting in a loss of feeling in my thighs. It has been more than two year ago, and the feeling still hasn't completely returned, although there has been a little improvement. It doesn't hurt though, so I just live with it and haven't felt the need to seek further treatment.
So do check the way you wear your pack! Other than that, see if conservative treatment, like removing overweight, belts or pinching clothing might help (it does for 85% of those affected). Last resort can be a blockade of the skin nerve by way of pulsed radiofrequency treatment. They'll usually only do that after a (successful) short term test-blockade with anesthetic fluid and anti-inflammatory medication. In my case this isn't worth the hassle. All the best in figuring out your next step.
I started with my GP. He knew exactly what it was. Your situation sounds more painful than mine. Best of luck.I am happy to have a name for this. Have had it for about 11 years. It gets worse sometimes, but is always there. The worse day was walking into Zubiri from Roncesvalles. When I went to bed, my whole upper thigh was numb, not just the front where it usually is. That has gotten better, but it took a long time. I also get pains in my left groin and figured they must have something to do with each other. That isn't as frequent but it comes when I carry weight or have pants that are too tight around the waist.
What kind of a Dr. do you visit? Chiropracter, Orthopedic, or Neuroligist?
I’m wondering if there are exercises that might help me prepare for the next Camino.
Love to hear from anyone with a true cure for this numbness!
Thank you!!! That's very helpful. I had my cell phone in that pocket on the Camino and it bounced against my thigh with every step I took. Now 6 months post Camino, I can't even keep a piece of paper in my left front pocket without feeling the numbness.The affected nerve (Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve) has an exit point from deeper tissues where it passes through the fascial layer of the leg (think of the PF as an anatomical pantyhose). Compression forces on the exit point or anywhere along the LFC can cause paresthesias or numbness. The aggravation for me is if I carry too much in my front pants pockets while walking - phones, excess coins, etc. The point made earlier about wearing your hip belt too low is also valid. It might also be aggravated by the sheer number of steps that you take in a hiking day. Good luck.
Even with health professionals in my family after 15 year It still comes and goes like you I have found that more frequent rests help. Interestingly I don't or to this date have not experienced it whilst on my Camino's I seem to have more episodes when not walking. Guess that shows everyone experiences the numbness of MP in a different way.I also had this happened to my right thigh 3 years ago, and Purky explained the cause perfectly -- the waist belt of my back pack around the hip squeezed the nerve, causing numbness in the thigh skin. I consulted my family doctor after the camino, and was advised to wear loose pant and belts and avoid pressure of belts touching the groin area. So I wear my pant higher up, and I strectched all my underwear so the elastic bands won't cause stress, any try to loose weigh so the big tummy doesn't squeeze the nerve. I tried the following exercises, it helps somewhat but the numbness still returns if belts etc are not loose enough!
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/meralgia-paresthetica-exercises#bridges
My doctor did say that the numbness is a discomfort, and does not affect muscle performance so I could walk the camino again! But more frequent rest during the walk does lessen the numbness. These days when I walk, I tend not to use the waist belt, but I think this might cause injury to my spine as I am turning 70. Also during long walks, I relax and straighten my spine a bit, it seems to reduce the numbness if it comes! I am planning to walk two caminos in 2019! Love to hear from anyone with a true cure for this numbness!
Buen Camino! Bon Chemin!
In late June on the Camino Portugues I developed Meralgia paresthetica. After completing the Camino it lessened but still comes back after walks of 10 miles or more. Anyone shared this experience and has found ways to prevent future flair ups? Are there exercises that help?
It’s not a sharp pain, rather it’s a numbness in the front of the left thigh and a sensitivity to touch.
Thanks.
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