A painful burning, tingling, or crawling sensation or an area of numbness on the front and outer side of the thigh may mean a large sensory nerve – the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) – is being pinched. This is called Meralgia Paresthetica (MP). MP is a common condition that is easily diagnosed. Special tests and x-rays are usually unnecessary and in most cases MP gets better on its own.