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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of a muscle cramp include:
- Sudden and sharp muscle pain (spasm, contraction), often in your legs
- A hard lump of muscle tissue that you can feel or is visible beneath your skin
When to see a doctor
Muscle cramps usually disappear on their own and are rarely serious enough to require medical care. However, see your doctor if your cramps:
- Cause severe discomfort
- Happen frequently
- Don't improve with self-care
- Aren't associated with an obvious cause, such as strenuous exercise
References
- Muscle cramp. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00200. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- Sheon RP. Nocturnal leg cramps, night starts, and nocturnal myoclonus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- Schwellnus MP. Muscle cramping in athletes — Risk factors, clinical assessment, and management. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2008;27:183.
- Katzberg HD. Assessment: Symptomatic treatment for muscle cramps (an evidence-based review). Neurology. 2010;74:691.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 11, 2010.
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