Patient information leaflet for the treatment of leg cramps - Dorset CCG
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Patient information leaflet for the treatment of leg cramps
Leg cramps are a common and Excessive strain placed on leg
usually harmless condition where muscles, such as when exercising,
the muscles suddenly contract may cause the muscles to cramp at
(shorten), causing pain in your leg. certain times.
This is known as a spasm, and you
A sudden restriction in the blood
cannot control the affected muscle.
supply to the affected muscles.
The cramp can last from a few
Also, tendons naturally shorten
seconds to 10 minutes. When the
over time as a person gets older,
spasm passes, you will be able to
which may explain why older people
control the affected muscle again.
are particularly affected by leg
It usually occurs in the calf muscles, cramps. Tendons are tough bands
although it can affect any part of of tissue that connect muscles to
your leg, including your feet and bone. If your tendons become too
thighs. short, they may cause the muscles
connected to them to cramp.
After the cramping has passed, you
may have pain and tenderness in Secondary leg cramps
your leg for several hours.
Secondary leg cramps are caused
Three out of four cases occur at by an underlying condition or
night during sleep. another identifiable cause. These
may include pregnancy, exercise,
Causes of leg cramps
toxins, dehydration and some
The cause of leg cramps is medicines.
sometimes unknown (idiopathic).
Treating the underlying cause may
In other cases, there may be an
help relieve your symptoms.
underlying condition or another
identifiable cause.
Idiopathic leg cramps
Although the cause of idiopathic
leg cramps is unknown, there are
a number of theories about what
might cause idiopathic leg cramps.
These include:
Abnormal nerve activity during
sleep which causes the muscle of
the leg to cramp.
2
Self Help your arms outstretched, about a
meter (39 inches) from the wall.
Most cases can be treated with Keep the soles of your feet flat on
exercises. There are two types of the floor for five seconds. Repeat
exercise that you can do: this exercise several times, for
• Exercises you do during an about five minutes
episode of cramping to relieve
Exercises to prevent cramps
the pain and stop the cramping
If you often get leg cramps,
• Exercises you do during the day
regularly stretching the muscles
to reduce how often you get leg
in your lower legs may help
cramps.
prevent the cramps or reduce their
The two types of frequency.
exercises are explained For example, if your calf muscles
below. are affected by cramps, the
following exercise should be
Exercises during cramps beneficial:
During an episode of leg cramp, Stand about a meter away from a
stretch and massage the affected wall, lean forward with your arms
muscle. outstretched to touch the wall while
For example, if the cramp is in your keeping the soles of your feet flat on
calf muscle: the floor, hold this position for five
seconds before releasing, repeat
Straighten your leg and lift your foot the exercise for five minutes three
upwards, bending it at the ankle so times a day, including one session
that your toes point towards your just before you go to bed.
shin (the front of your lower leg).
Stretch your calves before you go
Walk around on your heels for a few to bed each night - see stretching
minutes. advice above or page 6 for some
Stand with the front half of your alternative stretches that can be
feet on a step, with your heels useful especially after other forms
hanging off the edge. Slowly lower of exercise.
your heels so that they are below If you find these exercises useful
the level of the step. Hold for a few you can carry on doing them for
seconds before lifting your heels as long as you are able to. Please
back up to the starting position. refer to the photos on page 6 and 7.
Repeat a number of times
Lean forward against a wall with
3The following night-time advice Quinine
may also help:
Quinine was originally designed as
If you prefer to sleep on your back; a medication to treat malaria. It can
lie down, make sure that your toes be moderately effective in reducing
point upwards, place a pillow on its the frequency of leg cramps
side at the end of your bed, with however, there is uncertainty about
the soles of your feet propped up its long-term effectiveness and
against it this may help to keep your concerns about its safety.
feet in the right position while you
sleep. Known side effects
If you prefer to sleep on your front; include:
lie down, hang your feet over the • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and
end of the bed as this will keep your impaired hearing
feet in a relaxed position and help • Headaches
stop the muscles in your calves • Nausea (feeling sick) and upset
from contracting and tensing. stomach
Keep your sheets and blankets • Disturbed vision
loose. • Confusion
• Hot flushes
Painkillers
Never take more than the
Most leg cramps come on suddenly
recommended dose of quinine. An
and do not last very long. Therefore,
overdose of quinine can result in
painkillers are unlikely to help
permanent blindness and death.
because the cramp will probably
have passed before the drugs take Due to these potential risks your GP
effect. However, if a severe leg will only prescribe quinine if there is
cramp leaves your muscle feeling evidence that a potential benefit of
tender afterwards, you could take treatment outweighs the risks.
an over-the-counter painkiller such
It is recommended that quinine is
as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
only prescribed when:
You have tried the exercise
techniques discussed above and
they have not helped.
You have painful and/or frequent leg
cramps which affect your quality of
life.
44In these circumstances, you may References
be prescribed a four week course of
quinine. NHS Choices website
After this time if you have not www.nhs.uk
gained any benefit, the treatment NICE Clinical Knowledge
will be withdrawn. If you experience Summary - Leg Cramps: Senario
any of the side effects listed above, Management for leg cramps of
stop taking quinine and immediately unknown cause
contact your GP.
http://bit.ly/2qif6Td
It is recommended that treatment
BNF Online – For adverse effects,
with quinine is interrupted
contraindications and drug
approximately every 3 months to
interactions of quinine.
reassess the benefit. In patients
taking quinine long term, a trial http://bit.ly/2ozfBfg
discontinuation may be considered, Drug Safety Update on quinine.
on the recommendation of a
Government safety advisory. http://bit.ly/2pCnZuv
Sleep and cramp diary
Please note that we have shortened
Your GP may ask you to keep a
the URLs for publishing therefore
“sleep and cramp diary” to record
they may appear differently in your
how often you get leg cramps. You
browser.
can use this to record when the
cramps occur e.g. the time and
which muscle was affected along
with other information. Please see
the back cover of this leaflet for a
copy of the diary.
Date of
April 2017
production
April 2019 or
Date of next
before, in light of
review
new evidence.
5Exercises
These gentle stretches should take
about 5 minutes.
Spend more time on them if you
feel the need.
Buttock stretch
To do a buttock stretch, bring knees
up to chest. Cross right leg over
left thigh. Grasp back of left thigh
with both hands. Pull left leg toward
chest. Repeat with opposite leg.
Hold for 10 to 15 seconds.
Hamstring stretch
To do a hamstring stretch, lie on
your back and raise your right leg.
Keeping your left leg bent with your
foot on the floor, pull your right leg
towards you keeping it straight.
Don’t hold at the knee level. Repeat
with opposite leg.
Hold for 10 to 15 seconds.
66Thigh stretch
To do a thigh stretch, lie on right
Inner thigh stretch side. Grab top of left foot and
gently pull heel towards left buttock
For the inner thigh stretch, sit down
to stretch the front of the thigh,
with your back straight and bend
keeping knees touching. Repeat on
your legs, putting the soles of your
the other side.
feet together. Holding on to your
feet, try to lower your knees towards Hold for 10 to 15 seconds.
the floor.
Hold for 10 to 15 seconds.
Calf stretch
For the calf stretch, step your right
leg forward, keeping it bent, and
lean forwards slightly. Keep your
left leg straight and try to lower the
left heel to the ground. Repeat with
opposite leg.
Hold for 10 to 15 seconds.
Images from: NHS Choices website
7Date Time Area cramp occured Duration of cramp Comments
8You can also read
