Calf Cramp (Charley Horse)
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Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
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Foot cramping
Leg cramps
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About the Symptom
Leg cramps are episodes of sudden pain in the muscles of the leg caused by an involuntary contracting (shortening) of the leg muscle.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Fever
Disorder of consciousness
Seizure attack
Possible Causes
Generally, Calf cramp (Charley Horse) can be related to:
- Leg Cramps
Leg cramps are episodes of sudden pain in leg muscles caused by involuntary contractions (shortening) of the leg muscle. Most leg cramps happen in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs.
- Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a kind of nerve damage that can happen in people with long-term diabetes. High blood sugar can harm nerves all over the body, mainly in the legs and feet.
- Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones weak and brittle. As result, the bones become more prone to break even with minor trauma or stress that would normally not result in a break. It may be caused due to long-term low calcium intake, estrogen deficiencies in women, and an inactive lifestyle.
- Lumbar Vertebrae Disk Herniation
Muscle Cramps of All 4 Limbs
- Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS)
Hyperuricemia
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Neuropathic Pain
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Calf cramp (Charley Horse) may be related to these serious diseases:
- Heatstroke
This is a life-threatening emergency where the person's body temperature is dangerously high and they display neurological abnormalities. This occurs when the body fails to regulate its temperature properly. It can be caused by the surrounding environment (heat, moisture) or internal factors (dehydration, strenuous exercise).
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Have you experienced leg cramps lately?
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Developed by doctors.
Find Similar Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
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References
Charley Horse - WebMD
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/muscle-spasms-cramps-charley-horse
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
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Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates
