Lumbosacral plexus entrapment syndrome. Part one: A common yet little-known cause of chronic pelvic and lower extremity pain

Abstract

Lumbosacral plexus entrapment syndrome (LPES) is a little-known but common cause of chronic lumbopelvic and lower extremity pain. The lumbar plexus, including the lumbosacral tunks emerge through the fibers of the psoas major, and the proximal sciatic nerve beneath the piriformis muscles. Severe weakness of these muscles may lead to entrapment plexopathy, resulting in diffuse and non-specific pain patterns throughout the lumbopelvic complex and lower extremities (LPLE), easily mimicking other diagnoses and is therefore likely to mislead the interpreting clinician. It is a pathology very similar to that of thoracic outlet syndrome, but for the lower body. This two part manuscript series was written in an attempt to demonstrate the existence, pathophysiology, diagnostic protocol as well as interventional strategy for LPES, and its efficacy.