Ultrasound diagnosis of femoral nerve neurostenalgia : a cause of hip pain in a young adult

Abstract

Femoral neurostenalgia is a compressive neuropathy which is an uncommon cause of hip pain in active young adults. Compression of the nerve can cause debilitating pain and an inability to walk. Correct clinical diagnosis and correct treatment can result in complete relief of symptoms. We present a case of a young female with a spontaneous acute onset of severe hip pain for ten months. After seeing several specialists and having undergone numerous special investigations, femoral nerve compression by the iliopsoas was demonstrated on ultrasound, but only confirmed during surgery for a suspected femoral hernia. After decompression of the nerve the patient was completely pain free.