Question:
Leg cramps. What do I do about cramping in my calves?

Hi, I am three days post op. Home and doing great. I noticed this morning that I am having very slight cramping or muscle spasms in my calve. ANyone else experience this and should I be concerned at this point. Thanks, Diane    — Diane B. (posted on September 8, 2000)

September 7, 2000
Yes, I would ask your doctor because I too get leg cramps and often it is because my potasium level is low. This can cause heart problems if left untreated. So to be safe I would ask your doctor.
   — [Anonymous]

September 8, 2000
Sorry about your leg cramping. I too had leg and arm cramping that felt like my bones ached more than my muscles. I contacted my doctor via e-mail and he said to start taking Magnesium because the cramping could be caused from low Magnesium. However, I ended up never starting the Magnesium because the cramping passed after about a week or two. Good luck! I hope yours passes quickly as well!
   — Toni2760

September 9, 2000
This is important, hon. CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. In all likelihood, it is something minor, but blood clots often start in the calves, and it often seems to happen in that first two weeks following surgery. Do not guess at the cause -- LET YOUR DOCTOR DECIDE, and PLEASE be on the safe side. CALL NOW. It's NOT worth the risk.
   — Michelle F.

September 9, 2000
I too have had cramps in my calfs. I use a foot cradle at the foot of my bed, to keep the covers off of my feet and legs. I also take calcium, magnesium and zinc ( one a day) and the cramps no longer bother me. Good luck!
   — char T.

September 9, 2000
I have had this problem all of my life, I'd find myself waking up in the middle of the night in sheer agony, with my toes pointed straight unconciously and my calf in major cramp mode. I asked my Doctor about it once, and he said this: You coud be dehydrated so make sure you drink plenty of water, but before you go to bed, rather than pointing/stretching your toes down out of habit, every time you feel like doing that, bring your toes/feet straight up, and stretch. Like you are stretching your achilles tendon but while in bed. After you get used to doing this, you'll find yourself in a habit of pointing up & stretching, rather that down (where I found most of my cramps). He also said if I do get a cramp, sit up and grab my foot, and pull it up as fast as you can, this should release the cramp. It works for me, I used to get about 1 cramp per month, now I get one per year.
   — Karen R.

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