Lumbar Plexus Neuralgia

What is lumbar plexus neuralgia?

The nerve roots that arise in the spinal column make up a network of nerves in the back. This is known as a plexus. Each nerve that goes to the leg and the foot originates in this network. Lesions of the lumbar plexus are injuries to this network of nerves in the back and may be the cause of pain.

Cause

The most common cause of this condition is a serious accident, but damage to this network of nerves can also be caused by: sports injuries, stab wounds, and operations in this area.

Signs and symptoms

As well as varying degrees of paralysis and loss of feeling, neuropathic pain in the legs is the biggest problem.  This pain is continually present and is of a burning or stabbing character.  At a later stage there are attacks of stabbing and shooting pain.  This pain normally occurs at the ends of the limbs: the lower arm, the hand and/or the fingers.

How is lumbar plexus neuralgia diagnosed?

The neurological examination particularly focuses on paralysis and loss of feeling in the legs.

Do I need additional examinations?

  • Diagnostic examination for other non-physical factors important for your pain, have already been done by yourself trough filling out your pain questionnaires.
  • Additional examinations, in the event of a serious accident include standard radiographs, CT scan and MRI scan.
  • CT scan with contrast around the spinal cord.
  • EMG and SSEP.

What are my treatment possibilities?

Multidisciplinary treatment

Depending on the cause of your pain, your pain specialist will decide whether or not to start physical treatment. Based on the results of the completed pain questionnaire, additional examinations can be carried out and, apart from physical treatment, other methods of treatment will be suggested.

Non-physical treatment

If the results of your pain questionnaire are abnormal, your pain specialist will offer you one of the non-physical treatments listed below:

Physical Treatment

Medication

Other Treatment

Interventional pain treatment

Invasive pain treatment

  • If possible, restoring of the plexus by a neurosurgeon.

 

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