Immediate therapy and prophylaxis

During the cramping phase, gentle massages of the cramping muscles or stretching of the muscle can stop the cramping prematurely. To counteract a possible cause of the cramp in the thigh, the patient can try a few things to see if there is an improvement. Regardless of the cause and whether muscle cramps are present at all, the patient should make sure that he/she has an adequate daily fluid intake.

Furthermore, minerals can be taken in the form of dietary supplements, such as magnesium or calcium in tablet form, which should provide relief in the case of electrolyte disorders.Patients who have started to exercise again after a longer period of rest should take care not to put excessive strain on the muscles. After sport, trained and untrained persons should ensure that the muscles are stretched sufficiently. This will firstly achieve relaxation and secondly prevent the muscles from shortening.

If, however, the cramps occur regularly and household remedies are unable to remedy the problem, you should consult a doctor, who will be able to examine more closely whether an electrolyte disorder is present. The doctor can also establish a possible connection between cramps and the medication taken. A last but controversial possibility for cramps that have no identifiable cause is quinine sulfate (quinine).

Quinine is a prescription drug that is actually used to treat malaria. However, it also has an antispasmodic effect and is therefore prescribed – in much lower doses than in the treatment of malaria – for muscle cramps that cannot be treated. Since this drug has many side effects, the options must always be discussed with the treating doctor.

Here is an example of a stretching exercise for the front thigh muscles: In prone position the knee is bent until the foot or ankle joint can be reached with the hands. Now the foot is pulled further towards the head with the hands. This exercise can also be performed as a preventive measure.

In this case the exercise can be performed well in a standing position. There should be a slight pulling at the front of the thigh noticeable. Here is an example of a stretching exercise of the rear thigh muscles: In supine position the affected leg is pulled towards the upper body.

The knee should remain in a stretched position. With the hands, the thigh knee is held close and pulled even further towards the upper body. The more stretched the knee and the closer the knee comes to the chest, the more stretching occurs.

When standing, this muscle group can also be stretched. The two feet are placed side by side. The knees remain stretched.

Now try to touch the toes or the floor with your fingertips. The smaller the distance between the fingers and the floor, the stronger the stretching. The heels must not be lifted.

Of course, these exercises can also be used preventively. Taking magnesium can help in some cases and prevent further cramps (especially during pregnancy). Nevertheless, the effect is controversial according to studies regarding muscle cramps.

A balanced diet covers the daily requirements. A lot of magnesium is contained in nuts, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds and wholemeal products, for example. Adults need 375 mg daily.

However, the requirement may be increased under certain circumstances, for example during pregnancy or during stressful phases. Magnesium is available in various forms (effervescent tablets, capsules, tablets) from pharmacies and drugstores. Quinine can also be used for prophylaxis. However, this is only available on prescription and can cause serious side effects. Small amounts of quinine are contained in tonic water and bitter lemon.