Diagnosis | Cramp in the thigh

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of muscular spasm is mainly based on a medical history. The patient describes the symptoms to the physician, who will quickly conclude that the patient has a cramp. This can then be used to draw conclusions about a possible cause, for example, if the patient does a lot of sport.

If the cramp in the thigh is described, the physician will also look at the patient’s legs during the physical examination in order to detect possible external abnormalities. In order to find or exclude an electrolyte disorder as the cause, a blood count should be taken. A deficiency of the respective electrolytes can be determined. However, often there is no clear cause for the cramps.

Symptoms

If a cramp occurs in the muscles, this is usually associated with very severe pain. This is an unintentional (involuntary) tensing of the muscles. This tension is described as sudden pulling, stabbing or twitching.

The muscle cramps between a few seconds to several minutes and feels hard and firm during the cramping phase. If the cramp is localized in the thigh, it is usually not felt on the whole thigh. Only individual muscle groups cramp, so that the cramp is felt either on the inside, front, outside or back of the thigh.

Once the cramp is over, the muscle relaxes again and becomes softer. The thigh muscle consists of different individual muscles that are used depending on the movement being performed. The muscles on the inside of the thigh are also called adductors and cause the leg to be pulled towards the inside of the other leg (so-called adduction).

A cramp in the inner side of the thigh usually manifests itself as pain and can be caused by overloading this muscle group. For example, the adductors are put under a lot of strain when riding or inline skating. If these sports have not yet been practiced regularly, this can be strenuous for this muscle group and cramps can occur while performing the sport or afterwards.

Cramps in the adductors of the thigh often also occur during or after cycling. A cramp on the inside of the thigh is promoted by electrolyte disorders or lack of fluid intake. During the posterior thigh cramp, involuntary and spontaneous muscle tension occurs.

It occurs more frequently during or after exertion and at night. Stretching exercises (attempt to touch the toes with stretched knees while standing) can prevent cramps in this area. After a long training on the bike, a cramp in the thigh is not uncommon.

The cramp is usually caused by overexertion of the muscles that are not yet sufficiently developed. This is why cramps on the inside of the thigh occur more often during this sport. The inner thigh muscles are only slightly strained when cycling and are therefore usually underdeveloped.

Overloading the musculature causes the corresponding musculature to cramp. Muscle cramps are particularly favored if there is an electrolyte disorder or if not enough was drunk during training. You can prevent cramps on the inside of the thigh, especially by training the inside of the thigh while standing from time to time.As with any sport, there should be sufficient stretching and fluid intake.

The fact that cramps can occur suddenly during the night and can last up to a few minutes with pain is probably known to most people. Why cramps often occur at night is not physiologically clear. However, if the night cramps occur regularly, a cause should be sought and treated.

Nocturnal cramps in the thigh can be caused by the same triggers also during the day. For example, if the thigh is put under a lot of strain during the day, a reaction to the strain usually only occurs at night in the form of cramps in the thigh. Also, a cramp in the thigh at night can only be triggered by an incorrect or unfavorable sleeping position.

Among other things, however, a lack of fluid, electrolyte disorders, muscle shortening and muscle breakdown can also cause cramp in the thigh during sleep. During pregnancy, a cramp in the thigh, calf or even foot is not unusual and need not be a cause for concern. The muscle cramps often occur during the night and are often caused by the unaccustomed muscle strain caused by the child’s weight gain.

In addition, circulatory problems and a lack of minerals and vitamins can be the reason for the cramp in the thigh during pregnancy. In order to prevent the recurrence of the muscle cramp, a balanced diet should be followed. Since a magnesium deficiency is often responsible for the cramp in the thigh, magnesium can be taken in the form of tablets.

In addition, sufficient exercise and gentle stretching of the thighs can help to alleviate the symptoms. Back pain is the main symptom of many diseases of the spine. Common complaints here are herniated discs, degenerative spinal column changes and vertebral body fractures.

In each case, the sensitive nerve structures and the spinal cord at the level of the affected vertebrae are at risk. If the nerves are irritated, a so-called radicular symptomatology with radiation into the legs and feet can occur. This can affect sensitive sensations in the form of tingling, pain or numbness, but also motor functions through muscle cramps and paralysis.

If the pain persists after a cramp, this is initially no cause for concern. Since the cramp is merely an involuntary strong muscle activity, a sore muscle may occur afterwards. This typically occurs after one day and lasts no longer than 3-4 days.

Severe, persistent pain, even when the muscle is relieved, can in turn indicate nerve disorders. If the sensitive nerves are damaged or pressed in the course of the disease, there may be radiating, pulling pain along the nerve path. Herniated discs or other spinal diseases are frequent triggers for these symptoms.

The accompanying symptoms of a cramp in the thigh can be numerous and vary greatly with the underlying diseases. Typical local symptoms are pain in the muscles and muscle weakness of the affected muscle during the cramp event. In addition, unpleasant sensations such as tingling and even numbness of the thigh or the entire leg can occur.

In severe cases, paralysis and restricted movement of the musculature may follow, in which the muscle may appear limp or spastically aroused. The frequently underlying shifts in the mineral and electrolyte balance can be accompanied by numerous, sometimes life-threatening symptoms. Initially, all parts of the body may experience sensory or muscular discomfort, and later cardiac dysrhythmia may also occur.