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Femoral nerve dysfunction
Alternate Names : Neuropathy - femoral nerve, Femoral neuropathy
Symptoms & Signs
- Sensation changes in the thigh, knee, or leg, such as decreased sensation, numbness, tingling, burning, a feeling of the knee "giving way" or buckling, or (uncommonly) pain
- Weakness of the knee or leg, including difficulty going up and down stairs -- especially down
Diagnosis & Tests
An exam of the nerves and muscles (neuromuscular exam) of the legs shows that the femoral nerve is not working well. You might have weakness when you straighten the knee or bend at the hip. Sensation changes are located on the front of the thigh and inner calf. The knee reflex may be decreased or absent. The quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh may be smaller than normal.
Tests that reveal femoral nerve dysfunction may include: - Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve conduction tests (NCV, usually done at the same time as an EMG)
- MRI to check for masses or abnormal tissue (lesions)
You'll have tests based on the suspected cause of the problem, which the doctor will base on your medical history, symptoms, and the pattern of symptom development. These tests may include various blood tests, x-rays, scans, or other tests.
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Review Date : 12/21/2009
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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