Muscle Cramp (Subscribe)  

Cramp usually means " a spasmodic, painful, involuntary, contraction of skeletal muscle."1 and there are many causes. This transient, involuntary episode of pain, is usually sustained for minutes and even up to 10 minutes, and whole muscles or muscle groups go into spasm. The lower limbs are almost invariably involved.

Van den Berghe et al. (1980) described a kindred with generalized muscle cramps inherited as an autosomal dominant, with maximal expression during adolescence. The age of onset varied from age 10 to 15 years. Muscle enzymes were elevated with a peak level between 15 and 25 years. The complaints seemed...

The results indicate that quinine can prevent nocturnal leg cramps in general ambulatory populations. Given the possible serious side effects of treatment with quinine, the benefits and risks in patients taking this drug should be closely monitored.
Man-Son-Hing M, Wells G BMJ 1995;310:13-6.

Painful involuntary skeletal muscle contractions, or cramps, are common patient complaints and may be classified as examples of true cramp, tetany, contracture, or dystonia. The pathophysiologic and clinical features of each of these diagnoses are described. The approach to the patient with cramps should emphasize the history, physical examination, and,...

Nocturnal leg cramps are common in older people. Such cramps are associated with many common diseases and medications. Physiological methods may be useful for preventing cramps in some people, but there have been no controlled trials of these approaches. Quinine is moderately effective in preventing nocturnal leg cramps. However, there...

Our study highlighted that most patients prescribed quinine may have had another pharmacological cause for their leg cramps. A review of the need for and dosage of current drugs may be all that is required to alleviate the problem. Controversy surrounds the efficacy of quinine in the treatment of nocturnal leg...