What causes cramps?

Question

I am talking about leg cramps, and not the womens monthly cramps..lol
I have just recently (within the last 48 hours) being suffering from horrible, nasty and sudden cramps in my right leg. Although im interested in the general cause(s) of cramps i was also wondering if it could be anything to do with a recent knee operation I have had, and my mobility, and recovery from it.
I was due to go to the physio this morning, but stupid me mixed up my dates, and im worried that because my cramping isnt stopping something maybe up.

Answer 1

The cause of cramps and can include a multitude of diagnosis.

In order to determine the underlying cause of cramps it is important to know the characteristics. For instance, do the cramps occur with exercise or at rest, cramps occurring with rest can be related to thyroid disorders, dehydration, hemodialysis, and medications such as diuretics or lovastatin.

The cause of cramps occurring with exercise can simply be related to the exercise itself. Whenever cramps are occurring with exercise, the cause of cramps could be secondary to decrease blood flow.

The causes of cramps include hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, and hypermagnesemia.

Other causes of cramps include peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, alcohol, vitamin B12 deficiency, and blood clots.

Answer 2

Well I get cramps in my left foot - 2nd toe kind of often. My swimming coach told me that it's because when your muscles get too stressed out or worked up (i.e. too much intense exercise) you'll get it. Also, my dad said it's because when I go to sleep I always have my legs bent and when I'm sitting at dinner, I sit on top of my legs. My cramps are really bad too - last time I had a cramp I was in the middle of swimming and it suddenly got me. I had to struggle to the side where my coach lifted me out and I couldn't even walk. He had to carry me to the changing rooms and told me to help quicken the process of lessening the cramp I should calm my "stressed" nerves and stick my foot under a WARM/HOT shower. Apparently it's something to do with the blood rushing to the part of the body you've got the cramp in. He said that the running hot water would increase blood flow and lessen the pain. Maybe you should try a hot bath, I know it's not exactly the right weather if you're living in a hot country/England at this precise moment, but it should help. It totally did but I still had cramp so my mum did a toe massage. (By the way my last cramp lasted a full hour!!! The pain...!) A massage in that area will also help to calm you down and increase blood flow.
Nothing major should be going on but I think you're taking the right steps in making an appointment with your physio. It may have something to do with your knee operation physically or it could have been emotionally (i.e. as I said before, stress and nerves etc.)
Try not to do too much intense exercise at one time, especially as you've just had an operation on the knee. Just take it slowly.
Hope this helps!!!

Answer 3

It's very possible that your leg cramps are from your surgery. Go to your doctor! He/She's really the only one that can give you a final diagnosis. You also might be dehydrated. When you don't drink enough water, your muscles, especially your leg muscles, can cramp. Either way, still visit the doctor that did the surgery. It's better to be safe than sorry. And don't forget to reschedule the physical therapy...that'll help with the leg cramps too! Good luck.

Answer 4

There are two basic causes of cramping. One is inadequate oxygenation of muscle, and the other is lack of water or salt. Cramps from poor oxygenation can be improved by rapid deep breathing, as well as stretching the muscle. Cramps from lack of salt and water can be treated by stretching the muscle, and of course drinking water and increasing salt intake. Pounding on the muscle can increase soreness.

Muscle cramps in particular can be treated by applying a soft massage on the cramped muscle, stretching the muscle and applying heat or cold. Heat improves superficial blood circulation and makes muscles more flexible, so some people find that heat is more soothing for muscle cramps than applying ice.

Answer 5

First, GET TO THE DOCTOR!

He'll probably tell you that you need to work that leg after the surgery.

You also could have a potassium deficiency, so ask him about that. Sometimes, eating a banana a day for awhile can get your potassium levels back up and eliminate the cramps!

Answer 6

cramps are usually caused by dehydration of the muscle in the area in question, or it could possibly be a slight loss of blood at the moment. If it continues at the rate you're speaking of right after a knee surgery, you definitely need to consult your physician. My bet is that it's nothing serious, maybe just a minor muscle tear or such, but to be safe definitely go see your doctor.

Answer 7

It could be a number of reasons like vitamin deficiency or simply lack of water. Try stretching your leg if at all possible due to surgery. Also, a lack of motion can cause cramps, your muscles are are getting atrophied.

Answer 8

It very well could be from your surgery, that makes sense. You could try to eat a banana. Sometimes I get cramps in my legs (from a vericose vein), and potassium, somehow, relieves the pain. It only happens every 2-3 months, but when it does, I know just to eat a banana and in about 15 min. the pain is gone!

Answer 9

One cause is low potassium levels. My doctor recommended eating bananas (good source of potassium) because leg cramps were a side effect of a medicine he was prescribing.

Answer 10

usually cramps that occur in the legs are caused from not enough potassium and is called a charlie horse
eat a banana.

but in your case since the are reaccuring it could be something more serious