Occupational Meralgia Paresthetica in a Professional Diving Instructor Successfully Treated with Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Case Report

Background: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) of the lateral femoral cutaneous is a rare, nerve-entrapment condition, often related to an inflammatory and fibrotic pathological component. Although most cases resolve with conservative management, refractory presentations may require interventional or surgical treatment. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has demonstrated emerging potential in peripheral neuropathies through anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and antifibrotic mechanisms. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 64-year-old professional scuba diving instructor with occupational MP related to repetitive compression from a tight lead weight belt. Symptoms persisted for six months despite conservative therapies. Clinical examination supported lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) entrapment. The patient underwent three serial perineural PRP injections prepared from autologous blood and administered along the inguinal course of the nerve. Progressive symptom reduction was observed after each session, reaching approximately 90% improvement at two months. At six months, the patient was pain-free and had returned to full professional activity without limitations. Discussion: Occupational microcompression may induce intraneural edema, ischemia, and perineural fibrosis, creating a biological substrate amenable to regenerative intervention. PRP delivers concentrated growth factors capable of promoting axonal regeneration, angiogenesis, and modulation of the neuroinflammatory microenvironment. Preclinical and clinical evidence in other compressive neuropathies supports this translational rationale. Conclusions: Perineural PRP infiltration may represent a safe and promising regenerative strategy for refractory occupational MP. Controlled clinical studies are needed to define optimal protocols, patient selection criteria, and long-term efficacy in peripheral compressive neuropathies.