A Proposal for the Diagnosis and Acupotomy Treatment Points for Meralgia Paresthetica

Background: Although meralgia paresthetica (MP) is relatively common, standardized acupuncture treatment protocols remain insufficiently established.Therefore, the aim of this study is to propose a method for diagnosing and treating MP using acupotomy.Methods: The proposed points for the diagnosis and treatment of MP were established based on the anatomical structure of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) and surrounding soft tissues.The clinical utility of these points was confirmed using the pinch roll test and pressing diagnosis.Results: The diagnostic procedure should be performed through palpation for tenderness and the pinch roll test at the proposed points.The proposed therapeutic and diagnostic points include: (1) Facet joints of L2 and L3 (2) Transverse process of L3 (3) Inguinal ligament (4) 1.5 centimeters inferomedial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and ( 5) Cutaneous branch of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Conclusion:This study proposes a novel stepwise diagnostic method to differentiate between lumbosacral radiculopathy and localized peripheral nerve entrapment in the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica (MP), and presents corresponding acupotomy treatment points based on this approach.This diagnostic and treatment approach is based on extensive clinical experience and anatomical analysis; however, its effectiveness has not yet been objectively validated through large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Therefore, further research is needed to establish its objective efficacy.