Leg Cramp Treatments: Self-Reported Leg Cramp Management and Efficacy

Research Objectives: Aim to reiterate the prevalence of leg cramps, share patient-reported treatment options, and emphasize the need for further research on effective treatment modalities for leg cramps.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the summer, in June and July 2021 and June and July 2022 in one urban and five rural primary care clinics in a midwestern state. and developed from questionnaires utilized in previous research. Leg cramps were defined as "spasmodic, painful, involuntary muscle contractions when resting, lasting from a few seconds to minutes, usually affecting the calf and foot, i.e. Charlie Horse". The survey included a list of therapies based on previous research and UpToDate recommendations. An “other” category was also listed. Patients were asked about treatment trials and to characterize their efficacy. The final sample included 714 respondents. Patients younger than 19, pregnant individuals, and patients who could not read English were excluded. An "other" category was also listed.

Setting: Rural and urban primary care clinics in the Midwest.

Participants: The final sample included 714 respondents. Patients younger than age 19, pregnant individuals, and patients who could not read English were excluded.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: Outcome measures were responses to the questionnaire as listed under design.

Results: 51.1% of patients reported experiencing leg cramps (n=365). The most frequently utilized treatments were nonpharmacologic. 78.2% of patients tried massaging the affected muscle and 83.9% reported at least some benefit. The most popular pharmacologic interventions were analgesics/NSAIDs. Out of these, acetaminophen was the most popular, with 31.4% of respondents reporting use. It was the most efficacious pharmacologic intervention, with 79.4% reporting at least some benefit. The least tried medications were verapamil and quinine. Treatments most reported by patients in the “other” category included hydration, pickle juice, and potassium sources.

Conclusions: Leg cramps are very common, are distressing to the patient, and are often inadequately managed. Treatment options for leg cramps must be further investigated, and evidence-based and effective recommendations must be identified.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors have no competing interest to declare.