I am only sharing this in case others have experienced a similar problem. I very recently alluded to it on another member's post, and already got a private message asking for more detail. Rather than send a lengthy response, I'll share it here. I'll try to keep it tight. Time frames are general estimes.

I am 6'2", 195 pounds, 66 years old. For decades, I have worn cheap military style canvas (nylon?) belts, the kind that are infinitely adjustable, bought at my LGS for $5. When I began to carry concealed a few years ago, I bought a thick leather 1.5 inch gun belt (Hanks) to carry OWB or AIWB. Gradually, carrying on my waist all the time, wearing the belt every day, with quality fitted leather holsters (Lobo, DeSantis). The gun being carried on the waist was a J frame, 642 or 640. Usually the 642. Every great once in a while a Shield 45. OWB in the winter, under a sweatshirt, AIWB in warm weather under a short sleeve shirt. Sometimes still pocket carried a BG380. I really didn't like AIWB, not as comfortable, despite the fact I was already wearing size 38 jeans when I could fit into 36 with no problem. I like loose clothing. The point is, i was wearing the belt all day every day, carrying a relatively light gun either inside or outside the belt.

Early this year, I began to get numbness down the outside of my left thigh. It got worse, then progressed to pain, which also got worse. I walk a minimum of 3 miles per day, sometimes up to 7, and my daily walk was turning into a daily limp. I'm familiar with ruptured discs - been there, done it, L5S1, had the surgery in 1998. And I was a safety manager by profession, so I am somewhat knowledgeable about these kinds of things, ie signs, symptoms, causes, etc.

I had a suspicion the belt was involved. It also should be mentioned my weight had crept up to 210, despite the vigorous core and body exercises I do. I went to a well regarded orthopedic center. They took x-rays, and quickly ruled out the spine/vertebra, because the disc that would manifest itself at that point on my leg was fine. They concluded it was nerve compression AT MY LEFT HIP from the belt. LFCN - the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve being compressed, in turn causing meralgia parasthetica - burning thigh pain. They suggested I try suspenders for a few weeks, and stick to pocket carry for a while.

I stopped at the farm store and bought a $10 pair of Hee Haw suspenders. Not my look, but no big deal since I could wear them under my sweatshirt. Shortened story - I got better within weeks. The pain went away, then more slowly the numbness. I found some suspenders that hide under a tee shirt, and that's what I wear now on my walk. The remainder of the time, I'm back to my old standard of $5 belts from the LGS.

I've not worn the heavy leather belt since. I can carry AIWB no problem with the canvas belt. 90% of the time I have just gone with pocket carry. Mostly the BG380, and depending on the pants the 642. But sometimes, like sitting in church, I want to be able to access the gun quickly while seated.

Again, I share this in case somebody else is having similar symptoms. I hope it helps. Still doing all my walking, weights, core exercises, etc, and first thing I did was drop my weight back down to 195. I am symptom free.

One last thing. We're all built different. I have no hips. So in order to hold the gun and pants up, I have to cinch the belt pretty tight. Apparently i can tolerate that with the canvas belt, but not the thick leather.

Any questions, or info I left out, I'll be glad to try and answer replies.

Best wishes.

Hyena- Thanks for that post. Good info.

Thanks for bringing that information here.

I have two prosthetic hips. When my belt invariably slides down it causes the pain you describe whether I’m carrying a gun or not. I find myself pulling my pants up frequently so they don’t sag. Old age. I have some Galco shoulder holsters that I’m sure will get some use this fall and winter.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

Interesting that a heavy leather belt would cause the compression injury but that a canvas belt, surely equally tight, would not.

Suspenders, braces, are a great way to go for that issue though. Most often recommended here are Perry's. When I was about 30 ~ 40 lbs heaver, I wore them. (I'm 6'2", 230 nowadays.) Have not recently, but do think that for comfort suspenders can't be beat.

I have a question for you sir. How thick is your billfold. Having spent a great deal of time sitting on my backside i know just how much adjustment one's back must make to allow the owner of said back to sit comfortably with an overly thick billfold.

The most common reason for back pain in males is an overly thick billfold stuck in the hip pocket of their pants, shorts, what have you. For that reason I do not, nor have I, worn a billfold since I started driving back in the mid 60's.

When I first went to a chiro. his first question was: How thick is your billfold. I took out my wallet and showed him. He laughed then said okay lets look to see what your problem might be. I had strained a muscle in my back left side from climbing over the engine cowling in the cornbinder COE I was driving.

My billfold is extremely thin. Made out of nylon and sold by a company called Allett. Been using them for years and years. Finally wore out the first one and bought a second. I won't post a link, if you're interested in seeing them. Easily found with an internet search. I use the "original" model. Might seem a little pricy at $44, but worth every penny.

My wallet is thin too. Symptom of a full gun safe.

Good info to have. I believe years ago this ailment was known as Bernhardt-Roth Syndrome...

Over the years I have known several cops who developed lower back and hip problems associated with the Sam Browne duty belt (with 5 lbs. or more of assorted equipment) worn all day, every day, for years on end.

We can force our bodies to perform in certain ways, and some will take it in stride while others will go out on strike.

Personally, I'm still using a heavy two-layer trouser/gun belt that is over 10 years old now and performing just fine for me. Injuries and arthritis in my ankles and knees have resulted in referred problems in my hips and lower back, caused by always compensating for whichever knee or ankle was giving the most trouble every day. Some days I roll to the left, some days I roll to the right, some days I use a walking cane to relieve pressures on a hip or knee that is particularly sensitive.

Getting older has become rather tiresome. Stand too long and it hurts. Sit too long and it hurts. Walk too long and it hurts. They all hurt differently so I try and mix it up as much as I can.

Just a word of warning. Every time a nerve gets irritated and inflamed, it is more easily irritated and inflamed each successive time.

I carried my service weapon, along w/cuffs & other gear, on a thick leather belt in uniform for the better part of 30 yrs. Near the end of my career (retired in ‘97) my left hip, I’m a south paw, began to hurt to the point I needed to shed the duty belt. As a commander I was in the office a lot so I got away w/it most days. Today I cannot tolerate any weight on my waist and am relegated to a 340PD or LCP pocket carried. Even qualifying for LEOSA certification this summer proved uncomfortable.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

There are many things that cause soreness and numbness in our thighs. Naturally, it is often nerve related but it can also be bursitis. It is critical to know the difference.

Most of you probably know that bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid-filled pads (called "bursae" in technical jargon) that act as cushions at the joints. Sometimes it occurs as we age, sometimes it occurs in young people. Bursitis occurs most often at joints that perform frequent repetitive motion - - think knees, shoulders, elbows, and hips.

(As an aside, whenever you see "itis" it means inflammation somewhere in the body except in its use in slang.)

So, if one of your hips has an inflamed bursa you will have pain in your thigh and it is easy to determine - just press against the hip joint and you'll feel the intensity. You can get the pains seated, too, depending on your position, you do not have to be walking.

So, while I am sure that top orthopedic doctors can diagnose "LFCN" please realize that bursitis can feel exactly the same way as the OP described. "Burning thigh pain". You can guess how I know this and I go to top orthopedic specialists, too.

Another consideration that the OP apparently does not have to deal with is spinal nerve compression, compressed or bulged discs. As I am sure you all know, spinal discs are cartilaginous and are the spine's shock absorbers. If one is worn or pressed or the spine itself is misaligned and so forth it is very easy to find yourself suffering similar pain as described above.

As a final note, and again not because I'm a doctor but because it's a case of been there, done that, "sciatica" causes the EXACT same pains as the OP describes. Usually it affects just one side of your body and you can get pain down from your lower back through your hips and butt. If you like to exercise and do leg raises you can get amazing shooting pains through your thigh and leg - it feels like an electric shock. Make your gun belt too tight and your thigh can go numb before you step out of the room that you dressed in.

I write all of this as a companion thought process to the OP's piece because, literally, of the been there, done that nature of my own body's problems. We all carry guns in various ways that can sometimes impinge on nerves and joints that we don't think about when we dress with handguns.

Pocket carry does alleviate some of these issues but if you're still wearing a tight belt the issue can arise, anyway.

Y'all be safe and well out there!

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