This article aims to answer some questions that nurses may have about nocturnal muscle cramps, such as what they are, which patient populations are more likely to get them, and what interventions can nurses expect to incorporate to treat them. Nurses Education Knowledge
Published
If you have ever experienced pesky painful cramping in the muscles of your thighs, calves, or feet, then you can lend some empathy to your patients if they report this agonizing sensation. As a nurse using sound clinical judgment to prioritize patient care, irritating muscle cramps may be low on your totem pole of symptoms or issues to address; however, there are still some clinical considerations to make, as well as some interventions that you might be able to use to help your patients.
Nocturnal muscle cramps usually occur in leg muscles from the sudden, unintentional tightening or contracting of these muscles. One cramping incident can last up to ten minutes, and the discomfort from this incident can sometimes be felt long after it has ended. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 75% of people who experience muscle cramps reported getting them at night. These cramps can seriously interrupt a person's sleep pattern and affect daily function.
Nurses can expect that some patients with the following medical conditions might report experiencing nocturnal muscle cramps:
The following types of medications have nocturnal muscle cramps as a side effect, so be sure to check your patient's medication list:
Nurses should also consider these other factors when identifying nocturnal muscle cramps:
You should ask the patient these assessment questions and consider the information mentioned above:
After reporting to the patient's doctor, you can anticipate applying these interventions and should offer to assist the patient as needed:
Each patient and situation is unique, so this information will not apply to every patient experiencing nocturnal muscle cramps. You should always use your nursing judgment and report the patient's symptoms to their doctor. Furthermore, you may consider assessing the patient's legs for warmth, redness, and swelling in addition to the painful sensation. These other symptoms may be a sign of a different, more severe health problem that requires further assessment and testing. You can use the information you gained in this article to advocate for your patients, provide comfort, and continue expanding your ever-evolving nursing practice.
References/Resources
Criteria in diagnosing nocturnal leg cramps: a systematic review: BioMed Central Primary Care