Leg cramps from nerve damage?

Question

My husband had a very successful back surgery 7 years ago. He does have some nerve damage (which he had before the surgery) in one leg, which makes him limp slightly (no pain).

Often, he gets leg cramps in the calf with the nerve damage. These cramps are only at night. He drinks 2-3 liters of water a day, so he is not dehydrated. He takes a multivitamin and typically eats either bananas or other potassium rich foods.

We believe the cramps are due to the nerve damage and/or the back surgery.

Any advice (OTHER THAN DRINKING MORE FLUIDS OR EATING BANANAS/TAKING POTASSIUM) for relief from the cramps would be appreciated, especially from those with back surgery and nerve damage experience.

TIA.

Answer 1

failed back surgeries are SOOOOO common. what he really needs is an EMG and nerve conduction velocity study (NCV). that'll tell him which specific nerves are still damaged, if any, and if anything can be done for them. have him go to a physiatrist...they're a specialty of medical doctors that deals with musculoskeletal and nerve pains and are highly trained in performing EMG and NCVs. they'll also know exactly who to refer you to if that's needed.
good luck.

Answer 2

Though sciatica is a common problem, it is really surprising that often it is hard to tell why a person suffers from this ailment. This is why it is often referred to as a back pain complex. Even experienced doctors find it difficult to pinpoint a cause. Number of medical conditions lead to sciatica such as stress and trauma at any point on spinal cord or lower back. This is understandable but when a person feels this pain and the underlying causes are as general as obesity or pregnancy, it presents a vague picture to the doctor. There can be many more underlying causes that require supervision and treatment at the right time.


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Cheers.

Answer 3

leg cramps nerve damage

Answer 4

The neuropathy illness can cause the observable symptoms such as for example: tingling, prickling feeling, numbness of the location round the influenced nerves, quick pains, sharp as well as burning experience in the nerves.
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Answer 5

Has he ever had a problem with varicose veins? My wife had them and before they were treated she had night time leg cramps constantly. Her vein specialist said the cramps were caused by lack of oxygen in the muscle tissue. He said if you have diseased veins and you stand or sit all day long blood pools in the lower parts of your leg. When you lay flat at night the blood slowly works it's way back up and can actually block the flow of fresh oxygenated blood and cause severe cramps.

Answer 6

I have severe nerve damage and the only thing that helps me is massage therapy. Many people get helped by acupuncture. Try some alternative methods and see if they help.

Answer 7

Acupuncture, which involves inserting thin needles into various points on your body, may reduce peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Answer 8

LEG CRAMPS What are LEG CRAMPS? - Cramp is a term often used to refer to a painful, involuntary contraction of a single muscle or a muscle group. - Leg cramps frequently occur in the legs of elderly patients and can be extremely painful. - Severe leg cramps my be followed by residual tenderness and evidence of muscle fiber necrosis, including elevation of serum creatinine kinase. - Cramps in the calf muscles are so common as to be considered normal, but more generalized cramps may be a sign of chronic disease of the motor neuron. - Complaints of muscle pain and muscle fatigue are among the most frequent symptoms offered by patients. The decision as to which patients require extensive diagnostic tests can usually be made by history, examination, and routine blood studies. - Muscle cramps can be particularly troublesome during pregnancy, in patients with electrolyte disturbances (hyponatremia), and in patients on hemodialysis. - Spasms (abnormal movements of muscle) may arise from abnormal electrical activity of the central nervous system (CNS) mediated via the motor neuron or occur within the motor neuron or muscle fiber itself. Causes of LEG CRAMPS - In many cases, it is impossible to determine the cause of the leg cramps. - Muscle cramps can arise from spontaneous firing of special nerve groups followed by contraction of certain muscle fibers. - Cramps that are recurrent and localized to one muscle group may suggest nerve root disease. Treatment of LEG CRAMPS - The decision to treat a patient with leg cramps depends on the severity and degree of impairment. - If the pain is mild and self-limiting, topical and/or oral non-prescription analgesics may be appropriate. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.) - For more severe pain or if the pain is referred, the patient should see their physician for further evaluation. - Quinine Sulfate is usually the prescription drug of choice for leg cramps. Alternative names Pain - leg; Aches - leg; Cramps - leg Definition Leg pain is a common symptom and complaint. For more specific topics, see foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, muscle pain, joint pain, shin splints, and blockage of leg arteries. Common Causes Leg pain can be due to a muscle cramp (also called a charley horse). Common causes of cramps include: Muscle fatigue or strain from overuse, too much exercise, or holding a muscle in the same position for a long time Dehydration or low amounts of potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium in the blood Medications such as: Diuretics, which can cause you to lose too much fluid or minerals Statins, which lower cholesterol An injury can also cause leg pain from: A torn or overstretched muscle (strain) Inflamed tendon (tendinitis) Shin splints -- pain in the front of your leg related to overuse or repetitive pounding Hairline crack in the bone (stress fracture) Other common causes of leg pain include: Blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) from prolonged bed rest Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) that blocks blood flow in the arteries (this type of pain, called claudication, is generally felt when exercising or walking and relieved by rest) Inflammation of the leg joints by arthritis or gout Nerve damage -- common in diabetics, smokers, and alcoholics (symptoms include numbness, tingling, or a sensation of pins-and-needles) Infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) or skin and soft tissue (cellulitis) Varicose veins Less common causes include: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis -- usually seen in boys and overweight children between 11 and 15 years old, this refers to a separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone. It causes pain and growth abnormalities. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease -- poor blood flow to the hip that may stop or slow the normal growth of the leg. This condition usually affects boys between 4 and 10 years old. Benign tumors or cysts of the femur or tibia (osteoid osteoma). Malignant bone tumors (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma). Drugs such as allopurinol and corticosteroids. Sciatic nerve pain (radiating pain down the leg) caused by a slipped disk in the back. Home Care If you have leg pain from cramps or overuse, take these steps first: Rest as much as possible. Elevate your leg. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles. Take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For leg pain caused by varicose veins, leg elevation and compression with elastic bandages or support hose can help. For leg pain caused by nerve disorders or claudication, control diabetes, eliminate alcohol and tobacco, and avoid ill-fitting shoes. Call your health care provider if Call your doctor if: The painful leg is swollen or red. You have a fever. Your pain worsens when walking or exercising and improves with rest. The leg is black and blue. The leg is cold and pale. You are on medications that may be causing leg pain. DO NOT stop or change any of your usual medications without talking to your doctor. Self-care steps do not help. What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, with careful attention to your legs, feet, thighs, hips, back, knees, and ankles. To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as: Where exactly is your pain? Do you have pain in one or both legs? How would you describe the pain? Dull and aching? Sharp and stabbing? Do you consider it to be severe? Is the pain worse at any particular time of day, like in the morning or at night? What makes the pain feel worse? For example, does exercise or long periods of standing worsen your pain? Does anything make your pain feel better like elevating your legs? Do you have any other symptoms like numbness or tingling? Back pain? A fever? Weakness? The following diagnostic tests may be performed: Duplex Doppler/ultrasound exam to look for a blood clot X-ray of your back or legs MRI if a malignant tumor is suspected Bone biopsy if tumor is seen on MRI which may be malignant Bone scan Blood tests for specific diseases Arteriogram to check blood flow Treatment depends on the cause. Medications may include pain medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as Coumadin if there is a blood clot, and others. Cellulitis and osteomyelitis are each treated with antibiotics. Osteomyelitis will require extended use of antibiotics. For some causes of leg pain, physical therapy may be recommended by your doctor. If you have a blocked artery, inserting a balloon catheter into the artery to improve blood flow may be advised. Prevention To prevent claudication and nerve damage: Don't smoke or use tobacco. Limit how much alcohol you drink. Keep your blood sugars under good control if you have diabetes. Reduce other heart disease risk factors, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. To prevent overuse injuries, like shin splints, muscle cramps, and other causes of leg pain: Warm up before physical activity and cool down afterward. Be sure to stretch. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially before, during, and after exercise.

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