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Hello Doctors, I Was Curious If I Should Be Concerned
Question: Hello doctors,
I was curious if I should be concerned with this%E2%80%A6since this morning, I%E2%80%99ve had tremors/cramping in a main section of my outer right thigh (see picture). It%E2%80%99s sort of progressed to cramping (but I took Advil earlier and that seemed to help while in my system). So, being a nursing student, I started freaking out, thinking it%E2%80%99s a DVT or something scary, because it%E2%80%99s been going on all day. I should mention that the cramping isn%E2%80%99t really painful (maybe a 2/10). It%E2%80%99s been giving me odd itching sensations down my leg, but not loss of function or ROM at all.
I don%E2%80%99t smoke, drink alcohol, and I haven%E2%80%99t been been bedridden/immobile. Is this something I should be concerned of, or is this maybe a diabetes issue (I am overweight, but have not been to a doctor for a physical for about 2 years (am not a diagnosed diabetic) and I don%E2%80%99t have insurance at the moment).
Thank you
I was curious if I should be concerned with this%E2%80%A6since this morning, I%E2%80%99ve had tremors/cramping in a main section of my outer right thigh (see picture). It%E2%80%99s sort of progressed to cramping (but I took Advil earlier and that seemed to help while in my system). So, being a nursing student, I started freaking out, thinking it%E2%80%99s a DVT or something scary, because it%E2%80%99s been going on all day. I should mention that the cramping isn%E2%80%99t really painful (maybe a 2/10). It%E2%80%99s been giving me odd itching sensations down my leg, but not loss of function or ROM at all.
I don%E2%80%99t smoke, drink alcohol, and I haven%E2%80%99t been been bedridden/immobile. Is this something I should be concerned of, or is this maybe a diabetes issue (I am overweight, but have not been to a doctor for a physical for about 2 years (am not a diagnosed diabetic) and I don%E2%80%99t have insurance at the moment).
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Stress, anxiety, nerve compression are commonest cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Being a Nursing student you would understand my thoughts better than the general public.
The area you have depicted in the photo and as described is covered by a muscle called Vastus lateralis and is supplied by a branch of Femoral Nerve that comes from Lumbar area - L2. L3 and L4.
The commonest cause of such twitching can be due to one of the following reasons:
Stress and anxiety cause twitching of muscles.
Electrolyte imbalance.
Nerve pinching/compression, irritation in the course of supplying motor nerve from spinal level to the muscle.
Being overweight or obesity adds to the problems.
Since you have not mentioned any pain or discomfort in low -back area, it is difficult to know the exact cause.
Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Calm down and relax. Try to avoid stress and anxiety.
Take rest and good sleep and this may settle down.
If this does not settled down, get serum electrolytes done.
May need MRI of lower spine if there is no relief or symptoms enhance/persists.
I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Please give feedback.
Dr T Chandrakant.
Stress, anxiety, nerve compression are commonest cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Being a Nursing student you would understand my thoughts better than the general public.
The area you have depicted in the photo and as described is covered by a muscle called Vastus lateralis and is supplied by a branch of Femoral Nerve that comes from Lumbar area - L2. L3 and L4.
The commonest cause of such twitching can be due to one of the following reasons:
Stress and anxiety cause twitching of muscles.
Electrolyte imbalance.
Nerve pinching/compression, irritation in the course of supplying motor nerve from spinal level to the muscle.
Being overweight or obesity adds to the problems.
Since you have not mentioned any pain or discomfort in low -back area, it is difficult to know the exact cause.
Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Calm down and relax. Try to avoid stress and anxiety.
Take rest and good sleep and this may settle down.
If this does not settled down, get serum electrolytes done.
May need MRI of lower spine if there is no relief or symptoms enhance/persists.
I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Please give feedback.
Dr T Chandrakant.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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