Leg Cramps

Leg cramps, often referred to as charley horses, are a prevalent nocturnal symptom that pose a significant challenge in clinical management due to their unclear aetiology, complex diagnostic evaluation, and varying treatment effectiveness. These sudden, involuntary muscle contractions are not only common but also disruptive, particularly during the night.

Nocturnal leg cramps affect 50 to 60 percent of adults and approximately 7 percent of children, with a slightly higher prevalence in women. The incidence of these cramps notably increases with age. Up to 20 percent of patients experiencing leg cramps report symptoms severe enough to warrant medical attention.

The prevalence of nocturnal leg cramps increases significantly among older populations. A study conducted in the UK found that about one-third of 233 individuals over 60 years old experienced rest cramps, with 83 percent involving leg muscles and 40 percent experiencing three or more episodes per week【Rabbitt, 2016】【Naylor, 1994】.

Similarly, a cross-sectional study in France of 516 people aged 60 years and older revealed that leg cramps are a common issue in primary care, with an adjusted prevalence of 46 percent and 31 percent of participants reporting being woken by cramps【Maisonneuve, 2016】. In the United States, a large-scale cross-sectional study found that...