Marlex Mesh Implant/Nerves Injury

In 1990 had Marlex Mesh implanted for Obturator Hernia repair. I did not walk for several months; severe foot drop.


Have suffered with sciatic pain/neuropathy/parathesia since. Occasionally inner thigh pain also from injury to obturator nerve. Nerve studies, EMG show injury to L5-S1 nerve.

Last 6+ months, increasing pain in inner thigh, and burning pain from pubic bone to vagina. Hysterectomy at age 24; now 72. Not sure if obturator hernia again, mesh erosion, clips impinging on obturator nerve, ????

Recent MRI cannot view sciatic nerve because of clips holding mesh. Weary of pain already and now this increased going, inner thigh, vaginal pain. What does it say as a cause?

This is fairly complex neurology, and I'm not a neurologist.

Having said this, may I ask a few questions. Why did you not walk for six months after the inguinal repair? That's most unusual.

Prolonged bed rest is one of the many causes of foot drop; but you were less than fifty and I don't get it.

This has nothing to do with the sciatic nerve; anatomically it goes no where near the inguinal area and would certainly not have been affected by the repair.

Also the sciatic nerve does not supply the inner thigh or groin area; again an incidental and unrelated finding.

There are several slips of the femoral nerve, quite distinct from sciatica that supply this area. In theory I suppose could be caused by something to do with the mesh implant but after all this time, I think most unlikely.

More likely is a subluxation, or degenerative change in the mid to upper lumbar spine from where the femoral nerve emerges. Very rarely an abscess or tumour in the psoas muscle could be the culprit.

Another possibility is a condition of the hip joint itself which often refers pain to the groin and inner thigh. Is it particularly stiff.

You say little about your general health; have you anything to add that may be relevant?

I hope this contributes.

Dr B

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