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Leg cramps or spasms are a painful tightening of the muscles
in the leg. Staying in bed for long periods of time sometimes can cause
muscles in the leg or foot to cramp. Dehydration, certain drugs, and
brain or nerve diseases can also cause cramps. Other causes of cramping
are pressure on the calf muscles or on the back of the knee, too much
phosphorus, too little calcium, low blood sugar, or too little
potassium in the body. All of these are chemistry imbalances in the
blood.
What to look for
- Sudden pain or discomfort in a leg or foot and a tight or
stiff feeling
- Trouble moving the foot or pain when moving the foot or leg
What the patient can do
- Change position often.
- If you are bed-bound, use a bed cradle to protect the legs
and feet from the weight of the bed clothes. A bed cradle is a support
at the end of the bed that holds the sheets and blanket up off the legs
and feet.
- Exercise your legs in bed by bending and straightening them
10 times twice a day or as many times as you can. A family member can
move your legs for you if you can't.
- Tell your doctor or nurse about the cramps. They may be
able to help prevent them. For example, they may prescribe a muscle
relaxant.
- Apply heat to legs when they cramp if it's allowed by your
doctor. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what kind of heat to use and
how long you should use it.
- Massage the leg if allowed by your doctor.
- Keep warm.
- Contract the opposite muscle group to stretch the tight
muscle as much as you can without hurting it. For example, for a calf
muscle cramp, try pointing the toes upward toward the knees, or walk
around.
- Follow your doctor's instructions for correcting imbalances
in calcium, potassium, or phosphorus.
What caregivers can do
- Help the patient stretch the tight muscle if he can't.
- Use ice or a cold washcloth to gently rub the cramped
muscle.
- If muscle relaxers are prescribed, watch for dizziness or
stumbling.
Call the doctor if the patient:
- Has cramping that is not relieved by heat, massage, or by
stretching the cramped muscle (as described above)
- Has cramping that lasts for more than 6 to 8 hours
- Has a cramped leg that becomes red, swollen, or hot
Go back to Caring for the
Patient with Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families.
Last Medical Review: 04/27/2009
Last Revised: 04/27/2009
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