Suffering from a Charley horse, also known as a muscle cramp, can be very intense. The feeling is that of a strong, sudden contraction of the muscle in the leg or the foot. The contraction usually comes on suddenly and can last anywhere from a couple of seconds to many minutes. Many times, these cramps occur in the calf or in the foot when you are innocently lying in bed or during exercise. These contractions will eventually go away, but they can leave behind intense pains and aches. Cramps can be due to many different reasons, but here are some of the most common causes.

Parkinson’s Disease causes the lack of dopamine stimulation in the brain. This lack of dopamine usually occurs at night when you are sleeping. In Parkinson’s Disease, foot and leg cramps most often occur when the body is at rest. The pain from the cramp can be so intense that it renders a person unable to move.

ALS, multiple sclerosis, spinal stenosis, and peripheral nerve disease can all also cause cramps of the legs and the feet.

Exercise

Exercise is another common reason why we experience foot and leg cramps. This is because when the muscles get tired, they become stretched out the wrong way. They are then held in this odd position and cause cramping to happen for long periods of time. Activities such as walking in high heels, jogging, and kicking while swimming can all cause cramps in the legs and feet. They may also occur when squatting or crouching for long periods of time. In general, any activity that causes the overuse of the muscles can also cause cramping.

Muscle cramps in the foot or leg can be because of too much activity or they can be from an underlying disease such as ALS or Parkinson’s. In order to determine which is causing you to get all cramped up, call a podiatrist today. Call Syracuse Podiatry located in East Syracuse, New York. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico and his staff will help you deal with the pain Charley horses can bring. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.