An interventional study of Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation and Steroid (dexamethasone) Injection in Meralgia Paresthetica, sponsored by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 90 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-11-17.
Sponsored by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Meralgia Paresthetica (MP) is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), characterized by pain, numbness, hyperesthesia, or hypoesthesia, especially in the anterolateral thigh where the nerve has a sensory distribution. TheLFCN passes between the psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles in the iliac fossa and enters the thigh under the inguinal ligament by passing through the anterior superior iliac spine over the iliacus muscle. It superficially spreads over the sartorius muscle and receives sensation in the anterolateral thigh. Ultrasonography (US) is frequently used by physiatrists in the diagnosis and interventional treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. MP is usually diagnosed with clinical symptoms such as burning, tingling, pain, and dysesthesia in the anterolateral thigh. Electromyography, US, and magnetic resonance imaging are helpful in diagnosis. US is an easy-to-apply, inexpensive method in daily practice, providing great comfort to clinicians in determining etiology and differential diagnosis. Treatment may include patient education, avoiding tight belts, losing weight, conservative treatment methods, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local anesthetic and/or steroid injections, surgical neurectomy, neurolysis or transpositions. However, in recent years, there have been case series showing that radiofrequency ablation (RF) can also be applied. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of RF ablation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve with steroid injection in patients with clinically diagnosed MP and confirmed by US.
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent is the lead sponsor of 425 studies on the registry; 105 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The area where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is seen with US will be anesthetized with 1 ml of 1% lidocaine and a 22 Gauge, 10 cm-5 mm RF cannula will be inserted. Sensory fibers will be stimulated with 0.3-0.5 V. Then, motor fibers will be stimulated up to 1.5 V. If no motor contraction is seen, LFCN will be ablated at 42 degrees Celsius for 240 seconds. The procedure will be completed with the injection of 2 ml of 2% lidocaine and 2 ml (8 mg) dexamethasone through the RF cannula.
Where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is visible with US, 2 ml of 2% lidocaine and 2 ml (8 mg) dexamethasone will be injected.
Drug: Steroid (dexamethasone) Injection
The area where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is seen with US will be anesthetized with 1 ml of 1% lidocaine and a 22 Gauge, 10 cm-5 mm RF cannula will be inserted. Sensory fibers will be stimulated with 0.3-0.5 V. Then, motor fibers will be stimulated up to 1.5 V. If no motor contraction is seen, LFCN will be ablated at 42 degrees Celsius for 240 seconds. The procedure will be completed with the injection of 2 ml of 2% lidocaine and 2 ml (8 mg) dexamethasone through the RF cannula.
Where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is visible with US, 2 ml of 2% lidocaine and 2 ml (8 mg) dexamethasone will be injected.
Visual Analog Scale
The patients' pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS pain score was scored as "no pain" (score=0) and "worst pain" (score=10).
Time frame: Baseline, 1st day, 2nd week, 3rd month, 6th month
The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale
The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale will be used to assess the presence of neuropathic pain. It consists of two subcategories: pain questionnaire and sensory assessment. The questionnaire consists of five questions about general pain symptoms of the patient, and two questions, that are answered after appropriate clinical examination following predetermined methodology, which includes the seek for allodynia and altered pinprick threshold Scoring varies between 0 and 24 points, with a total score \> 12 indicating pain predominantly of neuropathic etiology.
Time frame: Baseline, 1st day, 2nd week, 3rd month, 6th month
Plan to share: Undecided
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Femoral Neuropathy
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent