Lumbosacral plexus injury
Lumbosacral Plexopathy
We relieve the pain from lumbosacral plexopathy at our specialist peripheral nerve unit at The Wellington Hospital
About lumbosacral plexus
Damage, at birth or due to a trauma, to the lumbosacral plexus causes pain and weakness in the lower back. This can feel like burning, cramping and tingling.
Need to know
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What are the symptoms of a lumbosacral plexus injury? icon plus
There are several causes of lumbosacral plexus injury. These include forceful impact such as an accident, prolonged labour in childbirth, cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disease. Some cardiac procedures may also cause nerve damage.
The main symptoms of lumbosacral plexus injuries are:
- Pain in the low back and buttocks, spreading down the leg
- Sensory changes to the top of the foot
- Weakness in the outer thigh muscles
- Deep pelvic pain which spreads down the front of the thigh
- In diabetics, symptoms start in the thigh and hip, notably pain and extreme weakness.
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How is lumbosacral plexus injury diagnosed? icon plus
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and help make a diagnosis. They will ask you about your medical history (whether you're a person with diabetes for example) and whether you've experienced any recent trauma to the pelvis.
They may order an MRI scan or CT scan to locate where the nerve fibres are being compressed. They may also want to rule out injuries with similar symptoms. MRI scans and CT scans should be considered if a structural mass is suspected in the pelvic region.
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Potential treatment options icon plus
Lumbosacral plexopathy is treated according to the cause. It can sometimes be managed through a mix of physiotherapy and painkillers. Corticosteroids often help where diabetes is the cause.
Nerve blocking injections, delivered into the lumbosacral plexus by ultrasound, can also be an effective treatment. These numb the injured nerves, stopping pain reaching the limb.
Finally, surgery can also help. Damaged nerves are reconnected using nerve grafts taken from other parts of the body. The nerve acts as a tube or cable, guiding the nerve fibres until they grow across the gap.
Our peripheral nerve consultants




Our locations
From complex nerve surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures including nerve conduction studies, we provide exceptional peripheral nerve care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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Peripheral Nerve Injury (PNI) Unit
The PNI Unit at The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
London NW8 9LE
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The Wellington Hospital Elstree Waterfront
The Waterfront Business Park
Beaufort House, Elstree Road
Elstree WD6 3BS
Request a peripheral nerve appointment
We're happy to help you make an appointment with Mr Marco Sinisi. We can also make imaging and outpatient physiotherapy appointments for you.
Call us today
020 7079 4344