A clinical diagnosis of muscle cramps is made based on the presence of common symptoms and triggers. Symptoms are sudden muscle contraction with pain. The muscle contraction can be felt as hardness to the touch, and may also be seen in certain patients. There are various triggers that can set things off, depending on the kind of muscle cramp. Exercise associated muscle cramps (EAMC) can occur after vigorous exercise (often endurance-based), usually in a muscle that was just worked out. Another characteristic of muscle cramps is that they can occur when attempting to contract a muscle already at its shortest length. Muscle cramps can also occur at rest, or after a trivial movement, especially when the muscle is relaxed and shortened.[1][2]
How are muscle cramps diagnosed?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Muscle cramps are diagnosed clinically by identifying common symptoms such as sudden painful muscle contractions, which may feel hard to the touch. Various triggers, including vigorous exercise and certain muscle positions, can also indicate the presence of muscle cramps.