Definition

• Leg muscle cramps from sports or hard work (muscle overuse)
• The pain is not caused by an injury
• Also called muscle spasms or heat cramps

Health Information

Symptoms

• Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) in the leg muscles
• The calf muscles or feet are the most common site.
• Foot or leg cramps can be very painful. They may also awaken your child from sleep.
• The involved muscle feels hard and tight.

Causes

• Most often occur after strenuous sports
• Sweating a lot can be a risk factor.

Pain Scale

• Mild: Your child feels pain and tells you about it. But, the pain does not keep your child from any normal activities. School, play and sleep are not changed.
• Moderate: The pain keeps your child from doing some normal activities. It may wake him or her up from sleep.
• Severe: The pain is very bad. It keeps your child from doing all normal activities.

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Muscle cramps are common after too much exercise or hard sports. Examples are hiking or running.
   • Muscle cramps occur in 30% of children.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Stretching:
   • During attacks, stretch the painful muscle by pulling the foot and toes upward.
   • Stretch as far as they will go to break the spasm.
   • Stretch in the opposite direction to how it is being pulled by the cramp.
3. Cold Pack:
   • Use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
   • Put it on the sore muscle for 20 minutes.
4. Water:
   • Heat cramps can occur with hard sports on a hot day.
   • If you suspect heat cramps, have your child drink lots of fluids. Water or sports drinks are good choices.
   • Continue with stretching and using a cold pack.
5. Pain Medicine:
   • Not needed because the pain goes away quickly.
6. Prevention of Recurrent Muscle Cramps:
   • Future attacks may be prevented by daily stretching exercises of the heel cords. Stand with the knees straight. Then, stretch the ankles by leaning forward against a wall. Also, do this before and after playing sports.
   • Place a pillow under the covers at the foot of the bed at night. This gives the feet more room to move at night.
   • Also, be sure your child gets enough calcium in the diet. Daily Vitamin D3 may also help.
7. What to Expect:
   • Muscle cramps usually last 5 to 30 minutes.
   • Once they go away, the muscle returns to normal.

Call Your Doctor If

• Fever, limp, or a swollen joint occurs
• Muscle cramps occur often
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

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