What are the main signs and symptoms of muscle cramps?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    The main symptom of a muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary, and painful contraction of a muscle. [1] Unfortunately, the cramp can still cause pain after it is over, even for days.[2] Muscle cramps can be felt as hardness of the affected muscle, and may be seen depending on muscle location and individual variability.[1]

    While muscle cramps are commonly believed to be caused by dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, they are more likely due to muscle fatigue and nerve dysfunction.[3][4][4][5]

    References

    1. ^Scott R Garrison, Christina S Korownyk, Michael R Kolber, G Michael Allan, Vijaya M Musini, Ravneet K Sekhon, Nicolas DugréMagnesium for skeletal muscle crampsCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2020 Sep 21)
    2. ^Jansen PH, Gabreëls FJ, van Engelen BGDiagnosis and differential diagnosis of muscle cramps: a clinical approach.J Clin Neuromuscul Dis.(2002-Dec)
    3. ^Sulzer NU, Schwellnus MP, Noakes TDSerum electrolytes in Ironman triathletes with exercise-associated muscle cramping.Med Sci Sports Exerc.(2005-Jul)
    4. ^Schwellnus MP, Drew N, Collins MMuscle cramping in athletes--risk factors, clinical assessment, and management.Clin Sports Med.(2008-Jan)
    5. ^Hawke F, Sadler SG, Katzberg HD, Pourkazemi F, Chuter V, Burns JNon-drug therapies for the secondary prevention of lower limb muscle cramps.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2021-May-17)