“I tell people my spinal issues are genetic. Would you agree”? Absolutely.
Generally, allodynia (pain with light touch) is associated with root injury and not with a sensory root compression (meralgia paresthetica) although I can’t see why that can’t happen. Deep pain in the hip region is not associated with meralgia paresthetica. It can be a hip disorder however this would not cause allodynia. I think your idea of an L1 or L2 disorder makes more sense. A standard lumbar MRI would reveal this disorder. If a root is compressed, a direct decompression would be in order.
Dr. Corenman