A young woman develops thigh pain after wearing a corset tightly for hours. This presentation is most consistent with which condition?

A young woman develops thigh pain after wearing a corset tightly for hours. This presentation is most consistent with which condition?

• A. Iliotibial Band Syndrome
• B. Meralgia Paresthetica
• C. Transient Hip Syndrome
• D. Maignes Syndrome

Answer: (B)

External compression of a sensory nerve causing numbness or tingling in a familiar skin area is the key idea. A corset tightly cinched around the waist can press on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it passes near the groin, leading to meralgia paresthetica. This condition produces sensory symptoms—such as burning, numbness, or tingling—localized to the outer (lateral) thigh, often without any weakness, and is commonly aggravated by tight clothing or belts. In contrast, pain from an overuse syndrome of the iliotibial tract tends to be lateral thigh and knee pain from activity, not mainly due to external compression. Other listed conditions don’t fit the pattern of acute sensory changes in the lateral thigh triggered by a tight garment, making meralgia paresthetica the most consistent explanation.

External compression of a sensory nerve causing numbness or tingling in a familiar skin area is the key idea. A corset tightly cinched around the waist can press on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it passes near the groin, leading to meralgia paresthetica. This condition produces sensory symptoms—such as burning, numbness, or tingling—localized to the outer (lateral) thigh, often without any weakness, and is commonly aggravated by tight clothing or belts.

In contrast, pain from an overuse syndrome of the iliotibial tract tends to be lateral thigh and knee pain from activity, not mainly due to external compression. Other listed conditions don’t fit the pattern of acute sensory changes in the lateral thigh triggered by a tight garment, making meralgia paresthetica the most consistent explanation.