Tight Jean Syndrome

Wearing tight clothes can compress a sensory nerve called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that runs from the abdomen through the thigh. The compression can cause numbness, tingling, and a burning pain in the legs above the knees, a condition called “meralgia paresthetica,” also known as “tingling thigh syndrome” and now sometimes termed “tight jean syndrome.” Another risk: if you combine today’s fashionable tight jeans with equally stylish spike heels, you can make matters worse - the shoes push the pelvis forward, which adds to the pressure of the jeans on the relevant nerve.

Tight clothes can also cause digestive problems, including abdominal distention and heartburn after eating. This doesn’t just apply to young women wearing skintight jeans; it can affect middle-aged men who squeeze into trousers that are too small for them.

The solution is straightforward: wear clothing that is loose enough to permit freedom of movement and general comfort. It is still quite possible to dress fashionably under these conditions - just be aware that if it’s a major struggle to get into your clothing, it’s probably too tight.