Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary, painful skeletal muscle contractions, characterized by repetitive, high-rate firing of motor unit action potentials (1). They can be visible and palpable and the duration, frequency and severity are highly variable. Most resolve within minutes but have been known to last up to an hour. They most commonly occur in the legs and at night.

 

The etiology of muscle cramps will vary depending on the type of cramp. They may be due to a