Muscular cramps: proposals for a new classification

Abstract

Muscle cramps are involuntary, painful, sudden contractions of the skeletal muscles. They are present in normal subjects under certain conditions (during a strong voluntary contraction, sleep, sports, pregnancy) and in several pathologies such as myopathies, neuropathies, motoneuron diseases, metabolic disorders, hydroelectrolyte imbalances or endocrine pathologies. There has been considerable uncertainty in the literature regarding the classification and nomenclature of muscle cramps, both because the term "cramp" is used to indicate a variety of clinical features of muscles, leading to its use as an imprecise "umbrella" term that includes stiffness, contractures and local pain, and because the spectrum of the diseases in which it appears is wide. The purpose of the present study is to propose a simple classification to provide a framework to better recognize the full spectrum of phenomenology of muscle cramps.

Factors associated with night‐time calf muscle cramps: A case–control study

“…Our survey did not include questions about caffeine consumption or the type of medications participants were using. Many medications have been reported to increase risk of cramps, yet insufficient data were available at the time of planning this study on the dose and duration of medication, and type and location of cramping.…”

The effect of Vitamin D and calcium plus Vitamin D on leg cramps in pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial

“…Hence, could increase glomerular filtration and greater needs of the fetus for receiving minerals from the mother (which reduces her serum calcium and magnesium levels). [25678]…”

Increased running speed and previous cramps rather than dehydration or serum sodium changes predict exercise-associated muscle cramping: a prospective cohort study in 210 Ironman triathletes

“…EAMC usually presents as painful localised muscle cramping that occurs spasmodically in different exercising muscle groups—usually the calf, hamstring or quadriceps muscles 7 8. EAMC should be distinguished from generalised involuntary muscle contractions in non-exercising muscles which are associated with a number of acute or chronic and congenital or acquired medical conditions 6 9…”