When to worry about calf pain

Ever felt a sharp, sudden pain in your calves after an intense run or while sleeping at night, leaving you clutching your leg in significant discomfort? A basic knowledge of the exact cause of painful muscle cramps and learning how to manage them can make a big difference.

In this article, we will discuss known causes, risk factors, and relief methods for reducing the frequency and intensity of calf muscle cramps.

What Are Calf Muscle Cramps?

Calf muscle cramps are sudden and involuntary contractions of the muscles in the lower leg.

When to worry about leg cramps

Often, the muscle spasms can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The sensation is usually intense, and the affected muscle feels very tight, hard, and strained due to the contraction.

Once these spasms, also known as “charley horse,” have subsided, the cramped muscle will start to feel tender, making it difficult to stand or walk for a few seconds.

Calf cramps commonly occur at night, causing sleep disruption and lingering soreness, known as nocturnal leg cramps.

According to a study published by the National Center for Biot