The symptoms of leg cramps can be described as a painful tightening of the leg muscles, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Your legs can become cramped for a number of reasons, including lack of hydration, a calcium deficiency or simply spending too much time lying down. Some people experience leg pain or spasms only at night (nocturnal leg cramping) and pregnant women sometimes have problems with leg cramps. Leg cramps are rarely serious and usually go away on their own.
Pain and Stiffness
A sharp pain may come on suddenly, causing stiffness and significant discomfort along the leg. You may notice a feeling of the leg contracting (muscle spasm). This cramping in the can make it difficult to freely move your leg. You may notice a solid mass (lump) of muscle tissue under your skin.
In addition to causing pain, leg cramps may cause spontaneous muscle contractions (fasciculation). Fasciculation is painless, involuntary and visible contractions of a collection of small muscle fibers.
The often brief yet momentarily incapacitating leg cramp usually fades away as quickly as it came.
Nocturnal Leg Cramps
According to the Mayo Clinic night or nocturnal leg cramps, sometimes referred to as a "charley horse," are most common among older people and pregnant women. The major sign of nocturnal leg cramping is abrupt and uncontrollable pain that's most frequently felt in the calf muscles.
Once the pain dissipates (usually in 10 minutes or less) the leg might remain sore for a time. The symptoms of nocturnal leg cramps can also occur while at rest during the day.
Acute Symptoms
In severe cases of leg cramps, the pain may persist for several hours and is not alleviated by stretching, rubbing or applying heat packs. The leg may be visibly red and swollen or warm to the touch. Contact your doctor if you experience leg cramps on a regular basis or if they are severe enough to disrupt your sleep.
