Pain Physicians NY (Brooklyn, NY) nerve specialists and doctors effectively relieve genitofemoral nerve pain. Brooklyn Pain Physicians are internationally recognized as one of the best nerve pain management specialists and doctors in Brooklyn, NYC. For over 20 years our pain management doctors and rehabilitation specialists with locations in Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Manhattan offer the most advanced pain relief treatments for the genitofemoral nerve.
Our facility equipped with the most advanced equipment available in the USA
Genitofemoral nerve pain is the pain felt in the lower abdomen especially around the groin area and the inner thigh. It affects both men and women equally and is the result of a compressed or ‘pinched’ nerve that supplies sensation to the area. It is quite common. Genitofemoral nerve pain is the most known cause of lower abdominal pain and pelvic pain observed in clinical practice.
What causes genitofemoral nerve pain?
The genitofemoral nerve is a nerve found in the abdomen that runs down the abdomen and to the thigh. At a point in the lower abdomen, this nerve divides into two branches, the femoral branch, and the genital branch. The femoral branch advances to the upper, anterior thigh while the genital branch enters the inguinal canal and supplies sensation to the scrotal skin. Damage to the latter, the genital branch, is the cause of genitofemoral nerve pain.
The groin is supplied with sensation by a pair of genitofemoral nerves, one on each side, and symptoms are usually experienced unilaterally because it is difficult for both nerves to be affected. When it happens, the affected individual will usually experience symptoms on either their left or right side of the groin, rarely both.
The main cause of compression or damage to the genitofemoral nerve is the result of an inguinal hernia repair surgery. This surgery usually involves making an incision into the skin around the area to push back a hernia to its ideal location. In the process, the genitofemoral nerve may be damaged, leading to genitofemoral nerve pain.
Besides being the unwanted result of surgery, trauma to the abdominal wall can also compress the genitofemoral nerve and cause pain in the area. This can be the result of seat belt trauma in the case of a lap seat belt. Other times, it can be caused by a tumor or cancer in the abdomen that grows within the abdomen, creating increased pressure that is exerted on the genitofemoral nerve. Even problems with the spinal cord can have the same effect if the nerves are compressed as they emerge from the spinal cord.
What are the symptoms of genitofemoral nerve pain?
The main symptom is the pain, localized around one side of the groin or genital area. The pain will usually be more pronounced with the rotation of the leg either externally or internally, which affects the walking patterns. Applying pressure on the area, too, will cause pain to radiate from the affected area.
Other sensations such as tingling, hyperesthesia, and hypoesthesia may also be present sometimes, which means that the patient may experience either increased or loss of sensation. If the femoral branch of the genitofemoral branch is affected, the muscles at the front of the abdominal wall become weak since the nerve is responsible for both sensation and motion.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of genitofemoral nerve pain is primarily done by an analysis of the above signs and symptoms. Usually, the following examinations are necessary to diagnose genitofemoral nerve pain:
- Blood Examination
- X-ray
- CT – Scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- Bone Scan
The goal of the treatment is to relieve the pain. Various medications are prescribed like NSAIDs, topical local anesthetics, corticosteroids, opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants. If the above – mentioned medications can’t relieve the pain, alternative treatments include:
- Ice packs,
- Acupuncture,
- Physical therapy,
- Genitofemoral nerve block
- Cryo-nerve ablation
- Trigger point injections
- Relaxation techniques
- Low intensity laser therapy
- TENS- transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, etc.
The most advanced pain management center, Brooklyn pain management doctors and specialists at Pain Physicians NY offer unique, individualized approach to manage your genitofemoral nerve pain. We are using the most effective pain management and treatment options utilizing the latest technologies available in the USA.