Medial Femoral Cutaneous Nerve

nervus cutaneus femoris medialis

The medial femoral cutaneous nerve is a branch of the femoral nerve arising in the femoral triangle that descends along the medial thigh to supply the skin of the medial thigh and knee. It divides into anterior and posterior branches: the anterior branch supplies the anteromedial thigh and communicates with the obturator nerve; the posterior branch supplies the medial knee region alongside the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve.

Region: Thigh

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The medial femoral cutaneous nerve is relevant in medial approach hip and knee surgery. In medial approach total knee replacement, the medial femoral cutaneous nerve branches may be stretched or divided by the medial capsular incision, producing anteromedial knee numbness. In hip arthroscopy with traction, traction neuropraxia of the medial femoral cutaneous nerve produces medial thigh and knee paraesthesia. The nerve is also at risk in saphenous vein harvest procedures along the medial thigh.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Medial Femoral Cutaneous Neuropraxia in Hip Arthroscopy Traction

Excessive traction for hip arthroscopy distraction can produce medial femoral cutaneous nerve neuropraxia manifesting as anteromedial thigh numbness and tingling post-operatively; the condition is typically self-resolving within weeks when traction is minimised and carefully padded perineal posts are used.