Twitching in the leg is caused by involuntary muscle contractions. Although usually harmless, muscle twitching can significantly affect quality of life in the long run.
What are twitches in the leg?
Muscle twitching can occur in almost any muscle part of the body, but twitching is particularly common in the extremities, especially the legs. Muscle twitching can occur in almost any muscle part of the body, but twitching is particularly common in the extremities, especially the legs. Muscle twitching is a colloquial term for sudden involuntary movements of the muscles of individual muscle groups. Muscle twitching can also occur throughout the facial musculature. Twitching in the leg can occur once and temporarily or chronically, in which case the affected person feels the twitching every day for a period of at least 3 months. The intensity of the twitching in the leg varies from patient to patient. The causes are usually of a harmless nature, but there is always a certain amount of suffering when twitching occurs over a longer period of time. Particularly in the case of prolonged twitching of the muscles, medical clarification is necessary, because behind the muscle twitching as a symptom, serious clinical pictures of the nervous system can also be hidden, which can only be ruled out with the help of extended diagnostics. Medical contacts for twitching in the leg are family doctors, neurologists, psychiatrists and orthopedists.
Causes
Twitching in the leg can take on different intensities and degrees of severity; if the muscle twitching is clearly visible, the physician refers to it as myoclonia, such as can occur during an epileptic seizure. There is an additional risk of injury. As a rule, however, only slight muscle movements occur due to more harmless causes, which are perceptible as fine skin tremors, the doctor then speaks of fasciculations. The twitching of the leg can have an arrhythmic or rhythmic character and occur once or regularly, depending on the cause. Regularly repeating muscle contractions on the leg are also called tremors. Fasciculations on the leg occur in small muscle bundles, if a muscle twitch can be amplified arbitrarily, then a so-called action myoclonus is present. External stimuli such as sounds, light or touch can also lead to twitching. Many neurological diseases are accompanied by the symptom of muscle twitching, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy. Febrile convulsions in infections, diabetes mellitus or orthopedic clinical pictures with nerve irritations can also underlie the twitching of the leg. Last but not least, the involuntary muscle contractions can also be an expression of a psychosomatic condition. The most common neurological disorder that triggers twitching of the legs is the so-called restless legs syndrome, restless legs syndrome, which occurs especially during sleep.
Diseases with this symptom
- Magnesium deficiency
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Diabetes mellitus
- Myopathy
- Circulatory disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Polyneuropathy
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
Diagnosis and progression
For the diagnosis and prognosis about a course of the disease, the conversation with the doctor is very important. Because with a targeted questioning about localization, intensity or triggering factors, the doctor comes in most cases already very quickly to the underlying cause. If it turns out that a patient is acutely affected by an emotional imbalance such as lovesickness or grief, then the involuntary muscle contractions in the leg are a somatic expression of a psychodynamic event. If the doctor finds out during the conversation that his patient consumes alcohol or drugs, then also in this case the cause of twitching in the leg is quickly found. Physical and neurological examinations with electroencephalography, electroneurography and, if necessary, electromyography follow. In this examination, the electrical activity, for example in the thigh muscle, can be measured in real time. Depending on the findings, extended diagnostics in the form of muscle biopsies, magnetic resonance or CT examinations, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) punctures may follow, for example, to confirm the suspected diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Complications
As a rule, twitching in the leg is not a worrisome medical condition. However, various complications may occur in some circumstances that require medical attention. In addition, the complications also depend on the underlying condition that is responsible for the twitching in the leg. In case of overuse, irregular twitching is quite normal. However, complications can still occur, such as a constant feeling of numbness. In such a case, there is a risk that individual nerves have been permanently damaged. However, this can be remedied by explicit therapy. If the twitching was caused by an external force, it may lead to enormous restrictions in individual movements. If the twitching is caused by existing arthritis, it can also lead to severe inflammation of the joints. The said inflammations are accompanied by severe pain that persists even at rest. In rare cases, the twitching is triggered by a vitamin deficiency, so that a general malaise can occur. At the same time, the immune system is weakened and enormously vulnerable, so there is a risk of infection with a virus.
When should you go to the doctor?
Twitching in the leg can occur due to many different causes, but they do not always need to be treated directly by a doctor. Often, twitching in the leg is caused by unaccustomed overexertion, so the leg may begin to tremble. However, this appearance should disappear completely on its own after a few hours. If this is not the case, then a visit to the doctor should be considered. Under certain circumstances, there may be an underlying disease that requires treatment by an appropriate physician. Not infrequently, there is an explicit nutrient deficiency, which, however, can be quickly remedied by taking the missing substance. In addition, a circulatory disorder can also be responsible for twitching in the leg. Therefore, anyone who suffers from regular twitching in the leg should seek medical treatment early enough. Only if treatment is given in time, the chances of a quick and complete recovery are the best possible. However, anyone who completely forgoes medical treatment for permanent twitching in the leg exposes themselves to a great risk. There is a risk of serious complications, which can even lead to permanent consequential damage. Thus, the following applies: If twitching in the leg occurs once, a doctor is definitely not necessary. Only if twitching in the leg occurs regularly, an examination by an appropriate physician should take place.
Treatment and therapy
Provided that the cause of twitching in the leg is determined, any possible treatment has to be based on it. The therapy of twitching in the leg rests on the three pillars of relaxation, medication and surgery. The physician will recommend relaxation methods especially in those cases in which the muscle contractions often disappear on their own and no physical-pathological findings could be made. Avoidance of stress and a change and adjustment of life circumstances are always advisable in cases of psychosomatic muscle twitching. Progressive muscle relaxation, yoga and autogenic training have proven to be particularly helpful. If manifest diseases are present as triggers of the twitching, different groups of medications are used, for example neuroleptics, antidepressants or anticonvulsants, which chemically interrupt the contraction circuit at the muscles. All of these drugs require a prescription and some of them have considerable side effects. To monitor therapy and progress, it is necessary to check the blood level of the drugs at regular intervals and adjust the dose if necessary until the patient is free of symptoms. In epileptics who suffer from permanent twitching in the leg, surgical intervention on the triggering brain region may be indicated to permanently remedy the distressing tremor.
Outlook and prognosis
Twitching in the leg can be triggered for many different reasons, making an accurate prognosis and outlook regarding the course of the disease very difficult. In most cases, twitching in the leg occurs very rarely and also disappears completely on its own. In other cases, the twitching in the leg occurs permanently or in very short intervals one after the other. Repeated twitching of the leg can be a sign of a serious iron deficiency.Anyone who forgoes medical treatment or appropriate medication in such a case must reckon with a considerable worsening of the symptoms that occur. However, if the person concerned consults a doctor at an early stage, the iron deficiency can be eliminated by taking appropriate preparations. If the twitching in the leg was triggered by this, it should not occur again in the future. In other cases, twitching in the leg can also occur due to overloading of the muscles. In such a case, a visit to the doctor is not necessary. The prospect of complete recovery and healing is possible without medical treatment without any problems. The affected person should take it easy and immobilize the affected area. Thus, a significant improvement should already occur after one to two days.
Prevention
In most cases, twitching of the leg is harmless, temporary in nature, and an expression of mental overload and stress. Thus, prevention can be achieved by avoiding stressors and learning relaxation techniques. If painful cramps also occur, emphasis should be placed on a balanced diet with a high magnesium content. In case of corresponding susceptibility and disposition, the consumption of alcohol, nicotine or drugs should be avoided at all costs. However, direct prevention of nerve disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease to avoid muscle twitching is not possible.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Twitching in the leg can have a number of causes and should therefore always be discussed with your family doctor. Often, the discomfort can be alleviated by simple home remedies and measures. It is possible that the complaints are based on a magnesium deficiency, which can be compensated by a balanced diet and appropriate dietary supplements. Dietary measures such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol help to relax the muscles and thus also reduce the twitching in the long term. It is also possible that the twitching is triggered by a medication. If this is the case, the attending physician must prescribe an alternative drug. In addition, psychotherapeutic measures such as autogenic training or meditation can also reduce twitching in the leg. Other general measures include light exercise and improving sleep hygiene. In addition, everyday stress should be reduced if possible. If polio, degeneration of the cervical spine or serious muscular diseases are suspected, self-measures should be refrained from. Until medical treatment is received, the affected limbs must be spared. In the case of unusual twitching in the context of a diagnosed nerve disease, the medication may have to be changed. Sometimes relaxation techniques such as yoga or physiotherapy can also relieve the discomfort.
