Although they may be “in style,” our blog has never been one to put fashion ahead of your health. We’ve come around a bit on high heels, so long as you wear them in moderation, but now it’s another fashion trend that coming under scrutiny. According to a news report, a 35-year-old women suffered muscle and nerve damage because she decided to squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans.

The unidentified woman was walking through a park when she noticed she was having difficulty lifting the front of her feet. She tried to walk it off, but eventually she tripped and collapsed to the ground. It was more than an hour before she was able to drag herself to a public area and flag down a cab to take her to the hospital. By the time she made it in front of a doctor, she had lost all feeling in her lower legs and feet.

The woman “recalled that her jeans had felt increasingly tight and uncomfortable during the day.”

Skin Tight Skinny Jeans

Not surprisingly, the skinny jeans were so tight that doctors had to cut the jeans off to remove them. They said the woman was suffering from compartment syndrome – a condition where an injury leads to swelling of the muscle or nerves that is constrained by a layer of fascia. When the swelling worsens, the fascia is unable to expand, and eventually nerves and muscles become injured when blood flow is restricted.

Dr. Roy Buchinsky, Director of Wellness at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, said tingling and numbness should be a sign that your jeans are too tight.

“Once the leg starts to swell, the train has left the station,” said Buchinsky. “That’s the sign the muscles are really going to be inflamed and the pressure is way too much.”

Dr. Buchinsky noted that surgery is sometimes needed to relieve the excess pressure. Cutting open the fascia gives the inflamed muscle increased room to heal. In extreme cases, amputation is necessary. Thankfully, in this case, the woman was simply put on an IV and bed rest. She later regained sensation in her legs and was able to walk out of the hospital four days later.

Doctors say the case was a “new neurological complication of wearing tight jeans,” and people should opt for a roomier pair.

Related source: ABC News

The post Skinny Jeans May Be Damaging To Your Health appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

1. Burns – Cooking a turkey to perfection is no easy task, but oftentimes it’s not the bird itself that causes burn injuries. If there are too many cooks in the kitchen, a person may accidentally bump you causing your arm to hit an open over or causing the door to close on you. Also, whether you’re deep frying the turkey or working the baster, the liquid and oil will be hot. Always wear protective gear when removing your bird from the oven or deep fryer.

2. Cuts – You’ll probably have more than a few knifes on the kitchen counter while your prep the meal and carve the big bird, but always make sure you cut away from your body and hands. Also, keep dangerous objects out of reach of little ones.

3. Falls – If you’re like a lot of Americans, you use the extended weekend to hang up Christmas decorations. Hanging decorations outside can be extremely dangerous, especially since there’s already snow on the ground and on roofs. Always make sure you have someone to hold the ladder while you’re up hanging lights, otherwise you might fall off and suffer a heel bruise!

4. Black Friday Boo Boos – Maybe you like to ring in the holiday with your family by going out in search of Black Friday deals. Every year we hear horror stories of people getting trampled just because they wanted to be the first person in the door to save $10 on a crockpot. If you’re going out on Black Friday, try to avoid the most popular destinations and don’t get caught up in the mob mentality.

5. Football injuries – Most family thanksgiving football games don’t get too intense, but with snow already on the ground all it takes is one misstep to twist or sprain your ankle. Also, be sure to stick to two-hand touch. Nobody wants to drive Uncle Bob to the hospital because your cousin tackled him from behind!

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