Cruralgia
the complete guide
- Published on
- By New Equilibre
Cruralgia, also known as crural neuralgia, is a painful condition caused by compression or inflammation of the crural nerve. It manifests as pain radiating down the thigh, often accompanied by tingling, pins and needles, and sometimes even numbness. This condition is often linked to a herniated disc, lumbago or damage to the intervertebral disc, which compresses the nerve root in the lumbar spine.
If not treated promptly, cruralgia can lead to muscle weakness and even partial paralysis of the leg. Fortunately, there are several solutions to relieve this pain: orthopedic inserts, natural treatments and medication.
In some cases, infiltration may be necessary to reduce chronic inflammation and improve mobility of the femur and hip.
On this page, discover solutions and products specially designed to help you relieve your cruralgia and adopt a more comfortable posture on a daily basis. New Equilibre offers you the best alternatives to soothe your pain and regain your well-being.
What is curalgia?
Where does cruralgia pain occur?
What's the difference between the crural nerve and the sciatic nerve?
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What are the symptoms of cruralgia?
The symptoms of cruralgia can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of compression or irritation of the crural nerve. However, here are the most common symptoms associated with this condition:
Pain along the thigh: Pain is the most characteristic symptom of cruralgia. It is generally felt along the front of the thigh, but can also radiate to the knee or even the foot. Pain can be described as throbbing, burning, electric or stinging.
Sensation of tingling or numbness: Individuals with cruralgia may experience sensations of tingling or numbness along the course of the crural nerve, particularly in the thigh, knee and sometimes foot.
Muscle weakness: Severe cruralgia can lead to muscle weakness in the affected leg. Muscles innervated by the crural nerve, such as the quadriceps, may become less effective, leading to difficulty walking or maintaining stability.
Pain aggravated by certain positions: Cruralgia pain can be exacerbated by certain positions or movements, including prolonged sitting, bending the trunk forward, or sudden movements such as coughing or sneezing.
Increased pain at night: Some individuals may experience increased pain at night, which can disrupt sleep and lead to poor sleep quality.
It's important to note that cruralgia symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency depending on the individual, and can be exacerbated by factors such as physical activity, stress or incorrect posture.
Orthopedic insoles to relieve cruralgia :
The orthopedic insoles can be a highly effective option for relieving cruralgia. That's why we've created a model of insoles specifically for this condition, offering plantar support and helping to correct postural imbalances, providing rapid pain relief.
Treatments for huralgia
For the treatment of cruralgia, there are both natural and medicated approaches that can help relieve pain and improve functionality. Here's a detailed list of natural and medicated treatments for cruralgia:
Natural treatments :
Stretching exercises: Regular stretching can help loosen tight muscles around the crural nerve and reduce nerve compression. Stretches targeting the muscles of the hip, thigh and lower back can be particularly beneficial.
Muscle strengthening: Strengthening core, hip and leg muscles can help stabilize the spine and reduce pressure on the crural nerve. Exercises such as squats, lunges and bridge exercises can help.
Yoga and Pilates: These disciplines focus on posture, flexibility and muscle strengthening, which can help relieve pain and prevent cruralgia relapses.
Acupuncture: Some studies suggest that acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body, may be effective in relieving pain associated with cruralgia.
Therapeutic massage: Massage can help relax tight muscles, improve blood circulation and reduce pain associated with cruralgia. Gentle massage of the hip, thigh and lower back muscles can be beneficial.
Medicinal treatments
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac can help reduce inflammation around the crural nerve and relieve the pain associated with cruralgia.
Analgesics: Medications such as paracetamol can be used to relieve the mild to moderate pain associated with cruralgia.
Muscle relaxants: Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine can be prescribed to help relax tense muscles and relieve muscle spasms associated with cruralgia.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid injections can be administered to the area around the crural nerve to reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with cruralgia, particularly if other treatments are not effective.
Opioid analgesics: In cases of severe cruralgia resistant to other treatments, opioid analgesics such as codeine or morphine may be prescribed to relieve pain. However, they are generally used with caution, due to the risk of dependence and side effects.
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Discover our article " How can orthotics relieve cruralgia? " To better understand their role in the treatment of this pathology.
Is it okay to walk with cruralgia?
What sports can I do with cruralgia?
When suffering from cruralgia, it's essential to choose physical activities that don't exacerbate symptoms and that help strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and promote blood circulation without putting excessive pressure on the crural nerve. Here are some examples of sports and exercises that can benefit cruralgia sufferers:
Swimming: Swimming is a low-impact activity that strengthens muscles throughout the body without putting pressure on joints. The fluid movements in the water can help improve flexibility and relieve the pain associated with cruralgia.
Cycling: Cycling on a stationary or adapted bicycle can be a good option for cruralgia sufferers, as it provides cardiovascular exercise without excessive impact on the joints.
Yoga: Yoga can help strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and promote relaxation. Yoga poses that focus on stretching the muscles of the hip, thigh and lower back can be particularly beneficial for cruralgia sufferers.
Pilates: Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on strengthening the deep muscles of the core, hips and legs while improving stability and posture. Pilates exercises can help relieve the pain associated with cruralgia by strengthening the muscles that support the spine.
Nordic walking: Nordic walking involves the use of special walking poles that help strengthen the arms and stabilize the body while walking. This activity can benefit cruralgia sufferers by providing cardiovascular exercise while relieving pressure on the joints.
It's important to choose activities that suit your fitness level and don't cause excessive pain or discomfort.
How long does cruralgia last?
The duration of cruralgia can vary considerably from person to person, depending on a number of factors, including the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, treatments received and individual response to treatment. In general, cruralgia can be classified into two categories in terms of duration:
Acute cruralgia: Acute cruralgia is a short-term form of cruralgia that usually lasts a few weeks to a few months. It is often caused by temporary irritation or compression of the crural nerve, e.g. due to sudden movement, trauma or transient inflammation. Most cases of acute cruralgia respond well to rest, medical treatment and physiotherapy, and symptoms may disappear once the underlying cause is treated.
Chronic cruralgia: Chronic cruralgia is a form of cruralgia that persists for several months or even years. It may be caused by underlying health problems such as herniated discs, nerve damage or degenerative diseases of the spine. Chronic cruralgia can be more difficult to treat and may require long-term pain management, including medication, physical therapy, injections and possibly surgery.
It's important to note that each case of cruralgia is unique, and the duration of the condition can be influenced by individual factors such as age, lifestyle, general health and the presence of pre-existing medical conditions.
What sleeping position for cruralgia?
Movements to avoid with cruralgia
When suffering from cruralgia, certain movements can aggravate the pain by exerting extra pressure on the crural nerve or compressing the spine. Here are some movements to avoid if you have cruralgia:
Excessive forward bending: Movements that involve excessive forward bending of the trunk, such as bending over to pick up a heavy object or touching your toes, can compress the spine and aggravate cruralgia pain.
Lifting heavy objects: Lifting heavy objects by positioning the weight on the lower back instead of the legs can put excessive pressure on the spine and increase compression of the crural nerve.
Twisting the spine: Movements that involve excessive twisting of the spine, such as turning the upper body while keeping the hips fixed, can aggravate cruralgia pain by exacerbating crural nerve compression.
Wearing high heels: Wearing high heels can alter posture and body weight distribution, which can put extra pressure on the spine and aggravate cruralgia pain.
High-impact activities: High-impact activities such as running, jumping or contact sports can aggravate cruralgia pain by increasing pressure on the spine and crural nerve.
Prolonged sitting: Sitting for long periods can put excessive pressure on the spine and aggravate cruralgia pain. It's important to take frequent breaks to stand up, stretch and change position.
Sudden movements: Sudden movements such as sudden body twists, unexpected lifting movements or falls can cause cruralgia pain to worsen by compressing the crural nerve or irritating surrounding structures.
By avoiding these movements and adopting proper lifting techniques, you can reduce pressure on the spine and crural nerve, which can help relieve pain and prevent exacerbations of cruralgia.
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