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Can Night Cramps Cause Pain In The Legs?
Question: I am frequently awakened during the night with extreme lower leg pain which also causes my foot to twist up and to the left, this is my left leg. I’ve had two spine surgeries to the L4 L5 S1 in 2012 and 2013 and had a full knee replacement in 2015 to my left knee. I don’t take any pain meds and prefer not to and look at alternative choices. The episodes generally last 15-20 minutes. I get out of bed and try to get my foot flat and walk it off but it’s very painful and frightening.
Brief Answer:
Can be night cramps.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The pain in the lower leg that you have at night is likely to be related to night cramps. Night cramps most of the time occur for no known reason, and they're harmless.
Sometimes, it can be due to dehydration, muscle fatigue or electrolyte abnormalities.
It is better to drink sufficient fluid and also see that your intake of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium ) is sufficient. You can drink Oralyte for this.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Can be night cramps.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The pain in the lower leg that you have at night is likely to be related to night cramps. Night cramps most of the time occur for no known reason, and they're harmless.
Sometimes, it can be due to dehydration, muscle fatigue or electrolyte abnormalities.
It is better to drink sufficient fluid and also see that your intake of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium ) is sufficient. You can drink Oralyte for this.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it also common that it is always the same leg and so extreme that it causes my foot to deform and turn?
Brief Answer:
Nerve compression needs to be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The muscle cramps can be severe and can cause the leg and foot to turn and get deformed temporarily.
If it is affecting only one leg then a nerve compression needs to be ruled out at the level of lumbar spine after an MRI scan.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Nerve compression needs to be ruled out.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The muscle cramps can be severe and can cause the leg and foot to turn and get deformed temporarily.
If it is affecting only one leg then a nerve compression needs to be ruled out at the level of lumbar spine after an MRI scan.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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