HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

How Can Intermittent Muscle Cramps In The Leg Be Treated?

default
Posted on Wed, 6 Sep 2017
Question: I started having pain in my left leg... about a week. It feels like severe leg cramps but is not consistent... it comes and goes. Sometimes heat helps but it is also moving to my knee now...possibly from inactivity? Resting it seems to be the only solution. (I'm 64 - in reasonably good health with no medications, etc.)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
need to see Doctor, exclude deep venous thrombosis, intermittent limb claudication

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,

I afraid inactivity should be the first cause that should come in mind here. It is important to be sure there is no clot in a blood vessel at the level of the lower limb. Generally, deep venous thrombosis generally presents as such. Left untreated, if the clot moves to the lungs, a more serious complication like pulmonary embolism could set it. It is true Aspirin reduces the risk of having such a clot but does not eliminate the risk completely.

I think you will need to see your doctor for special tests (lower limb ultrasound doppler for deep venous thrombosis and possible arteriography to evaluate the sizes of the arteries). The fact that you obtain relief at rest could imply intermittent claudication of lower limbs, which most likely to do with blood vessel disease. The referral of your general practitioner for a specialist opinion (cardiologist) should also be helpful.

It could be helpful to do a blood screening profile to see the clotting status. An imbalance in clotting status could lead to blood clots.

What you could for the moment is to put this limb, maybe on a pillow, at a level higher than the rest of your body while sleeping or at rest. Failure of lower limb veins to contract appropriately to send blood back to the heart (venous insufficiency) could also explain as such.

I suggest you see your doctor for a possible specialist opinion.

Kind regards as I wish you the best of health. Please, do feel free asking further questions in case of need.

I'll be glad to contribute.

Dr Bain

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3092 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
How Can Intermittent Muscle Cramps In The Leg Be Treated?

Brief Answer: need to see Doctor, exclude deep venous thrombosis, intermittent limb claudication Detailed Answer: Hi and thanks for the query, I afraid inactivity should be the first cause that should come in mind here. It is important to be sure there is no clot in a blood vessel at the level of the lower limb. Generally, deep venous thrombosis generally presents as such. Left untreated, if the clot moves to the lungs, a more serious complication like pulmonary embolism could set it. It is true Aspirin reduces the risk of having such a clot but does not eliminate the risk completely. I think you will need to see your doctor for special tests (lower limb ultrasound doppler for deep venous thrombosis and possible arteriography to evaluate the sizes of the arteries). The fact that you obtain relief at rest could imply intermittent claudication of lower limbs, which most likely to do with blood vessel disease. The referral of your general practitioner for a specialist opinion (cardiologist) should also be helpful. It could be helpful to do a blood screening profile to see the clotting status. An imbalance in clotting status could lead to blood clots. What you could for the moment is to put this limb, maybe on a pillow, at a level higher than the rest of your body while sleeping or at rest. Failure of lower limb veins to contract appropriately to send blood back to the heart (venous insufficiency) could also explain as such. I suggest you see your doctor for a possible specialist opinion. Kind regards as I wish you the best of health. Please, do feel free asking further questions in case of need. I'll be glad to contribute. Dr Bain