Groin pain etiology: Pudendal neuralgia

Abstract

Pudendal neuralgia is defined as pain in the area innervated by the pudendal nerve. It is a perplexing condition that is not well researched and also not well recognized by practitioners. A common cause of pudendal neuralgia is pudendal nerve compression or entrapment, which usually occurs after sustaining trauma to the pelvis. There is no single test that can reliably diagnose nerve entrapment, and a diagnosis is commonly made based on excluding other possible causes. There are several treatment options that can provide relief for patients, including lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor physical therapy, nerve blocks, and surgical decompression of the nerve itself. Among patients who are selected for surgical intervention, approximately 70 % experience pain relief.