Tightening tendon on the back of my leg?

Question

I've had a bit of a problem with a tightening feeling on the back of my left leg from the knee down. It only happens late at night, after I've fallen asleep. It's a serious pain and it feels like a tendon just decides to tighten up. It only happens every so often, but I'd like to stop it altogether. Occasionaly it tightens so bad it's hard to walk on my left leg the next day. I want to know what is going on and how can I prevent it from happening? Thanks alot

Answer 1

It sounds like a "charley horse" although I am not sure that is what you are describing. I often get them in the back of my leg (the calf muslce) and they are very painful. The calf or gastosoleus is a pair of muscles—the gastrocnemius and soleus—at the back of the lower human leg. The gastrosoleus complex is connected to the foot through the Achilles tendon. This may be the tendon tightening feeling that you describe.

In order to prevent them, increase your potassium intake (orange juice and bananas are great sources of potassium).

They are also often caused by dehydration so make sure you are drinking enough water during the day. Drinking 8 glasses per day is nonsence for intensive exercisers. You can lose 8 glasses of fluid in one hour of exercise. Drink until your urine is light yellow.

Vitamin B-complex has been shown of use for leg cramps in one study. Quinine is also helpful but has side effects. Tonic water is a good source of quinine. A glass before going to bed may help; the liquid may help too! My dad drinks it after a charley horse and says it helps to prevent another one but he gets them really bad and quite often. You can also take it in a pill form.

Once one hits, the best thing you can do is to walk on it. At least that is what works for me. Also, I have heard to bring your heel to your butt, which shortens the muscle and provides input to get the spasming to stop.

Good luck! Hope this helps! The website below will provide a little more information. The second website talks about quinine/side effects.