Pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper thigh, might cause these symptoms of meralgia paresthetica:

• Tingling and numbness in the outer (lateral) part of your thigh
• Burning pain on the surface of the outer part of your thigh

These symptoms commonly occur on one side of your body and might intensify after walking or standing.

Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — which supplies sensation to the surface of your outer thigh — becomes compressed, or pinched. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is purely a sensory nerve and doesn't affect your ability to use your leg muscles.

In most people, this nerve passes through the groin to the upper thigh without trouble. But in meralgia paresthetica, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve becomes trapped — often under the inguinal ligament, which runs along your groin from your abdomen to your upper thigh.

Common causes of this compression include any condition that increases pressure on the groin, including:

• Tight clothing, such as belts, corsets and tight pants
• Obesity or weight gain
• Wearing a heavy tool belt
• Pregnancy
• Scar tissue near the inguinal ligament due to injury or past surgery

Nerve injury, which can be due to diabetes or seat belt injury after a motor vehicle accident, for example, also can cause meralgia paresthetica.

The following might increase your risk of meralgia paresthetica:

• Extra weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the pressure on your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
• Pregnancy. A growing belly puts added pressure on your groin, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes.
• Diabetes. Diabetes-related nerve injury can lead to meralgia paresthetica.

Age. People between the ages of 30 and 60 are at a higher risk.