About the obturator nerve

What is it?

• A peripheral nerve that runs through groin muscle and tissue
• Root is in spinal lumbar plexus – Vertebrae L2, L3 and L4
• Provides motor and sensory connection to INNER thigh

Movement includes:

• Rotate leg or foot away from body
• Extend leg at knee
• Maintain balance

Sensory function from:

• Hip and knee joints
• Skin covering inside thighs near groin

Symptoms of nerve injury?

• Spasm. Leg cramps with physical activity
• Reduced range of movement
• Swelling / inflammation / stiffness
• Discomfort extending along thigh. Pain worsens with side-to-side movements
• Numbness in thigh
• Muscle weakness in thigh
• Constant ache near pubic bone
• Pins and needles in groin

Causes of nerve injury?

• Sports injuries.  E.g. requiring much kicking, long-sitting cycling or horse-back riding
• Obturator nerve entrapment as it passes through swollen nearby tissue (e.g. from swollen ligaments, endometriosis effects in pelvis, pregnancy).  Can occur if nerve adheres to these nearby muscles and tissue.
• Obturator neuropathy. E.g. from abnormal wear and tear or sudden injury
• Obturator hernia. Abdominal tissue presses on nerve
• Pelvic trauma. E. from childbirth, crush injuries, internal bleeding causing nerve compression
• Pelvic tumors. E.g. on bladder, cervix, rectum
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Treatment of obturator nerve injury

Obturator nerve entrapment does not get better on its own. Physiotherapy treatment may include:

• Electrotherapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Exercise programs
• Postural realignment