Nerve pain under incision/upper thigh/ in front of hip 8 months post tummy tuck? (Photo)

Question

Beautiful results but 8 months post TT have had pain in right upper thigh, just below my incision since day 1. Mostly when I bend my leg 90 degrees. Incision is super low, in crease of thigh area, the sharp pain is just below incision, on right side only. I am looking for possibilities of what this could be... and at 8 months now... wondering if it will ever go away? Any pearls of wisdom are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

John A. Millard, MD, FACS · Answer

What your are reporting is suspicious for what is known a s entrapment of a cutaneous (skin) nerve after tummy tuck.  While it is not common, it is seen between 1-2% of tummy tucks and is related to how the soft tissues heal after tummy tuck.  It;s related more to healing than to anything that is done at surgery, meaning we cannot predict who it will happen to.  It is worth bringing to the attention of your surgeon as it can be addresses (Either with an injection or even local surgical exploration and release of scar tissue).

Lori H. Saltz, MD (retired) · Answer

You have what is called meralgia. It is caused by the irritation, inflammation or entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve which runs just inside of your hip bone and supplies sensation to the areas you are having pain in. It often disappears on its own. In your case it hasn't. In the few cases I have had over 26 years an injection of a little local anesthetic and steroid have fixed the problem. In rare cases surgery may be needed, but I have never had to resort to that. Talk to your surgeon about it A simple injection might fix things right up for you. Good luck.

Nerve pain under incision/upper thigh/ in front of hip 8 months post tummy tuck? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Nerve pain under incision/upper thigh/ in front of hip 8 months post tummy tuck? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.