La cruralgia, Also called femoral neuralgia, is a painful condition caused by compression or irritation of the crural nerve (or femoral). This nerve begins in the lumbar spine and runs down the front of the thigh, causing sharp pain and sometimes numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
I am Anas, a physiotherapist, and in this article, I will introduce you to five effective exercises to relieve cruralgia, which I prescribe to my patients. These exercises are designed to mobilize the femoral nerve in a progressive and safe manner. So, let's go!
Understanding Cruralgia
Le crural nerve, also known as the femoral nerve, runs from the lumbar region of the spine down the front of the thigh.
When this nerve is compressed, it can cause sharp pain in the front of the thigh, sometimes down to the inside of the knee. This pain may be accompanied by muscular weakness, numbness et tingling.
The objective of the exercises
The aim of the exercises is to mobilize the femoral nerve,stretch the muscles surroundings, and reinforce affected muscles to facilitate healing and prevent recurrence.
1. Mobilization of the Femoral Nerve
Objective: Gently mobilize the femoral nerve.
- Starting position: Lie on your stomach.
- Movement : Bend the knee while tilting the head forward. This simultaneous movement of flexion of the knee and the neck puts tension on the femoral nerve. Adjust the amplitude according to your tolerance (bend the knee slightly if the pain is too strong).
- Repetitions: Made 2 sets of 10 reps, holding the position for 3 to 5 seconds.
This exercise allows you to gradually mobilize the femoral nerve while avoiding excessive stretching.
2. Dynamic Stretching of the Psoas Muscle
Objective: To stretch the psoas muscle which is close to the femoral nerve.
- Starting position: Get into a knight's stance (one knee on the ground, the other foot in front).
- Movement : With your torso straight, tilt your pelvis forward to feel a stretch in the front of your thigh. Hold for 5 seconds, then return to the starting position.
- Repetitions: Made 20 repetitions, in two sets of 10.
Stretching the psoas is especially important because it can put pressure on the femoral nerve when tight.
3. Stimulation of the Adductor Muscles
Objective: Activate the adductor muscles and improve circulation in the area.
- Starting position: Lie on your back with a pillow placed between your thighs.
- Movement : Squeeze the pillow with your thighs for 5 seconds, then release. Adjust the intensity of the contraction according to your tolerance.
- Repetitions: Repeat this movement 20 times.
This exercise stimulates the muscles of the inner thighs, improving blood circulation and promoting healing.
4. Strengthening the Quadriceps Muscle
Objective: To test and strengthen the affected leg.
- Starting position: Sit on a stable chair.
- Movement : Propel yourself upward using only one leg (the affected leg) to pull yourself up. Make sure you have a safe environment, and start by testing the movement with the healthy leg.
- Repetitions: Made 4 sets of 5 reps, taking regular breaks.
If you notice weakness in the affected leg, it is important to strengthen the quadriceps, which are often affected in cases of cruralgia.
5. Lumbar Extension
Objective: To test whether lumbar extension can reduce cruralgia symptoms.
- Starting position: Lie on your stomach.
- Movement : Using your hands, gently push to lift your upper body, arching your back slightly. Hold this position for 5 seconds, then slowly lower back down.
- Repetitions: Made 2 sets of 10 reps.
This exercise is inspired by the McKenzie method, which is often used to treat herniated discs that cause cruralgia. If the pain worsens, stop the exercise.
When and How to Do These Exercises?
These exercises should be practiced every day for at least 5 days to observe an improvement in symptoms. Pay attention to listen to your body : If an exercise persistently worsens your pain, stop it immediately.
Remember to consult a healthcare professional if the pain does not improve or worsens.
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Conclusion
All of these events offer an exceptional opportunity for young international arbitration practitioners to debate with eminent specialists in a friendly and open format and setting. five exercises are designed for relieve cruralgia, strengthen the affected muscles and gently mobilize the femoral nerve. Do these regularly and monitor your progress. If your symptoms persist, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional for personalized follow-up.
If you enjoyed this article, I encourage you to share it with others who suffer from cruralgia and to sign up for our free 21-day program to continue your healing journey!
References
R. Gastaldi a, R. Pailhé b, A. Baillet ac, J.-J. Banihachemi b (2017). Misleading clinical presentation of a femoral neck stress fracture in a marathon runner: cruralgia that was not cruralgia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jts.2017.04.004.
C Camiade 1,A Displacement 2,J Soyer 3,E Menet 4,JB Ricco (2002). Cruralgia secondary to compression by a leiomyosarcoma of the iliac vein: report of a case. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3944(01)00691-5.
My name is Anas Boukas and I am a physiotherapist. My mission ? Helping people who are suffering before their pain worsens and becomes chronic. I am also of the opinion that an educated patient greatly increases their chances of recovery. This is why I created Healthforall Group, a network of medical sites, in association with several health professionals.
My journey:
Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Montreal , Physiotherapist for CBI Health,
Physiotherapist for The International Physiotherapy Center