Leg cramps

Leg cramps can occur during sleep, after physical activity, prolonged sitting or even at rest. Usually, an episode lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes, but after it, pain, tension or increased muscle sensitivity may persist for some time. If spasms recur often, intensify or are accompanied by swelling, numbness, weakness or a change in skin color, it is worth consulting a doctor.

At the «Oxford Medical» clinic, patients can have a consultation with a phlebologist, diagnostics of possible causes of muscle spasms and receive individually selected treatment. Make an appointment at a time convenient for you through the online appointment form or by phone of the contact center.

Cramps (stenosolia) — are sudden involuntary muscle contractions that are accompanied by sharp pain, tension and temporary limitation of movement. Most often, spasms occur in the calf muscles, feet or toes. Cramps in the legs can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and recur episodically or regularly.

In medical practice, the term Crampy syndrome may also be used — it describes repeated painful muscle spasms that occur mainly in the calf muscles, more often at night or after physical activity. According to the US National Library of Medicine, muscle spasms most often affect the calf muscles, and the risk of their occurrence increases in older people, athletes, pregnant women and patients with certain chronic diseases.

The causes of cramps in the legs can be different: from muscle fatigue and lack of fluid to vascular, neurological or metabolic disorders. A single episode after physical activity does not always indicate a disease, but regular or painful spasms require attention and, if necessary, examination.

Most often, spasms may occur due to:

• prolonged physical activity or muscle overstrain;
• dehydration and electrolyte imbalance;
• prolonged sitting, standing or an uncomfortable position of the legs;
• disorders of venous blood circulation, in particular varicose veins;
• deficiency of magnesium, potassium, calcium or other microelements;
• some neurological disorders and diseases of the spine;
• separate endocrine and metabolic diseases.

One of the possible causes may also be chronic venous insufficiency, in which venous outflow worsens and swelling, heaviness and discomfort in the legs appear. In some patients, spasms occur against the background of metabolic disorders or such conditions as diabetes mellitus.

Sometimes the causes of cramps in the legs are combined with each other. For example, insufficient physical activity, a disturbed drinking regimen and vascular changes can simultaneously affect the condition of the muscles and provoke repeated episodes.

Leg cramps may differ by the cause of occurrence and the conditions under which the muscle spasm appears. Such division helps the doctor assess the possible mechanism of the disorder and determine the further examination tactics.

Most often, the following are distinguished:

• idiopathic cramps — occur without a clearly established cause, more often at rest or at night;
• cramps associated with physical activity — may appear after prolonged walking, training, standing or muscle overstrain;
• secondary — develop against the background of other conditions, in particular circulatory disorders, deficiency of microelements, pregnancy, endocrine, neurological or vascular diseases.

Most often, the spasm occurs in the calf muscles, less often — in the feet or toes. Such Crampy cramps in the legs may be accompanied by sharp pain, muscle tension and temporary limitation of movement.

Most often, patients are bothered by a cramp in the calves, especially at night or after physical activity. At the same time, a spasm may also occur in other areas. For example, cramps in the foot are sometimes accompanied by involuntary bending of the toes, and a cramp of the calf muscle may cause sharp pain during sleep, walking or prolonged staying in one position.

Leg cramps during pregnancy are a fairly common complaint, especially in the second and third trimesters. Most often, they occur in the calf muscles at night or after prolonged load on the legs. The appearance of spasms may be associated with changes in venous blood circulation, increased load on the lower limbs, muscle fatigue, features of water-salt balance and pressure of the enlarged uterus on the vessels.

According to Cochrane Library, muscle spasms during pregnancy can worsen sleep and general well-being, so in case of frequent or pronounced symptoms, it is worth informing the doctor about this. The specialist will assess the frequency of episodes, the presence of swelling, varicose changes and other features, after which, if necessary, will recommend ways to relieve the condition and further treatment tactics.

The doctors of «Oxford Medical» note that during pregnancy management, it is not recommended to take magnesium, potassium preparations or other supplements independently without consulting a doctor, since any treatment during this period must be selected individually.

Diagnostics may be needed if cramps recur often, occur without an obvious cause or are accompanied by other symptoms — swelling, numbness, weakness, pain or a change in skin color. During the consultation, the doctor clarifies complaints, after which determines the scope of the necessary diagnostics.

To clarify the causes, the following may be prescribed:

• blood tests to assess glucose levels, electrolytes, kidney function, thyroid gland function and other indicators;
• ultrasound diagnostics of the vessels of the lower limbs if a disorder of venous blood circulation is suspected.

If cramps are combined with swelling, heaviness in the legs, venous changes or discomfort after prolonged standing, the patient may be recommended a consultation with a phlebologist.

The doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain that the treatment tactics depend on the cause of the cramps. If spasms occur episodically after physical activity or fatigue, correction of the physical activity regimen, rest and drinking regimen may be sufficient. If, however, cramps recur often, intensify or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to identify and treat the underlying condition that provokes them.

Treatment of cramps may include:

• correction of the drinking regimen and nutrition;
• moderate stretching of the muscles and exercises to reduce muscle tension;
• treatment of disorders of venous blood circulation in case of swelling, heaviness in the legs or venous congestion;
• control of glucose levels and metabolic disorders, if diabetes mellitus is relevant;
• correction of microelement deficiency as recommended by the doctor;
• review of medications if they may be associated with the appearance of spasms;
• treatment of neurological, vascular or orthopedic causes, if they are confirmed during the examination.

To eliminate leg cramps, it is important not only to temporarily relieve the spasm, but also to determine the cause of its repeated appearance.

Single short-term spasms usually do not pose a serious danger. At the same time, frequent or prolonged spasms may worsen well-being, disrupt sleep and affect everyday activity. In addition, regular cramps are sometimes a manifestation of a disease that requires diagnostics and treatment.

Possible consequences of frequent spasms:

• sleep disturbance due to repeated nighttime episodes;
• limitation of physical activity due to discomfort or fear of recurrence of the episode;
• increased risk of loss of balance and falling, especially in older people;
• progression of the underlying disease if the cause of cramps remains undetected for a long time.

If spasms are combined with swelling, heaviness, pain or changes in the condition of the skin on the legs, the doctor may recommend an additional examination of the vessels, since one of the possible causes may sometimes be chronic venous insufficiency.

Prevention is primarily aimed at reducing factors that may provoke muscle spasms. In many cases, simple daily habits help, supporting normal muscle function, water-salt balance and blood circulation in the lower limbs.

For prevention, doctors recommend:

• maintaining a sufficient drinking regimen throughout the day;
• avoiding prolonged muscle overstrain and a sharp increase in physical activity;
• regularly performing moderate stretching of the leg muscles;
• wearing comfortable shoes;
• taking breaks during prolonged sitting or standing;
• maintaining moderate physical activity;
• controlling concomitant diseases and following the doctor’s recommendations.

If constant cramps in the legs are a concern, preventive measures alone may be insufficient. In such a case, it is worth undergoing an examination, since regular spasms in the legs may sometimes be associated with circulatory disorders, metabolic changes, neurological or other diseases.

The cost of treatment for leg cramps depends on the cause of the symptoms, the necessary examinations, consultations with specialists and the chosen treatment tactics. At the «Oxford Medical» clinic, patients can receive all necessary medical services — from a doctor’s consultation and laboratory or instrumental diagnostics to individually selected treatment.

The doctor will guide you in more detail regarding the examination program and the cost of treatment during the appointment. You can preliminarily view the prices for doctors’ consultations here. To make an appointment for a consultation at a time convenient for you, leave a request through the online appointment form or contact the contact center by phone.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

Sources:

US National Library of Medicine

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Cochrane Library