I know, it sounds like I’m joking, but I’m not. Skinny Pant Syndrome is in fact real, and a product of pop culture. So, what is SPS?
The medical term is meralgia paresthetica, and it is defined as “numbness or pain in the outer thigh not caused by injury to the thigh, but by injury to a nerve”. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is the one injured, and is located in the front of thigh. Historically, this condition was typically seen in obese individuals who wore tight belts and worked a job requiring lots of sitting. This would cause compression of the nerve between the front of the hip bones and the belt. Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling along the front of the thigh. Due to the increasing popularity of tight “skinny” jeans, we are now seeing this condition in younger, thinner adults. Fortunately, the cure is easy if diagnosed quickly.
The first and most obvious thing to do is stop wearing the offending clothing- be it a tight belt, tight pants, or both. The next step is to visit your Longmont chiropractor for a correct diagnosis. Once diagnosed, an alignment of the hip bones, in addition to specific stretching will be prescribed.
If you are having symptoms of numbness, pain and tingling in the outer thigh, don’t wait to see if it goes away. Nerve damage is serious, and should be treated as such. Please call the office today at 303-651-7003 for a free consultation.