Charley horse: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Charley horse | |||
| synonyms = [[Muscle cramp]], [[leg cramp]] | |||
| field = [[Sports medicine]], [[Orthopedics]] | |||
| symptoms = Sudden, involuntary muscle contraction | |||
| complications = [[Muscle soreness]], [[muscle strain]] | |||
| onset = Sudden | |||
| duration = Seconds to minutes | |||
| causes = [[Dehydration]], [[electrolyte imbalance]], [[muscle fatigue]] | |||
| risks = [[Exercise]], [[pregnancy]], [[age]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[patient history]] | |||
| differential = [[Deep vein thrombosis]], [[peripheral artery disease]] | |||
| prevention = [[Hydration]], [[stretching exercises]], [[balanced diet]] | |||
| treatment = [[Stretching]], [[massage]], [[heat therapy]] | |||
| medication = [[Analgesics]], [[muscle relaxants]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
}} | |||
'''Charley horse''' is a colloquial term for a painful involuntary muscle spasm or cramp, typically occurring in the leg muscles. These cramps can be sudden and severe, often causing significant discomfort and temporary immobility. Charley horses are most commonly experienced in the calf muscles but can also affect the thighs and feet. | '''Charley horse''' is a colloquial term for a painful involuntary muscle spasm or cramp, typically occurring in the leg muscles. These cramps can be sudden and severe, often causing significant discomfort and temporary immobility. Charley horses are most commonly experienced in the calf muscles but can also affect the thighs and feet. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Charley horses can be caused by a variety of factors, including: | Charley horses can be caused by a variety of factors, including: | ||
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* Nerve compression | * Nerve compression | ||
* Certain medications, such as diuretics and statins | * Certain medications, such as diuretics and statins | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
The primary symptom of a Charley horse is a sudden, sharp pain in the affected muscle. The muscle may feel hard to the touch and may be visibly knotted or twitching. The pain can last from a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, residual soreness may persist for a day or two after the cramp has subsided. | The primary symptom of a Charley horse is a sudden, sharp pain in the affected muscle. The muscle may feel hard to the touch and may be visibly knotted or twitching. The pain can last from a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, residual soreness may persist for a day or two after the cramp has subsided. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
To prevent Charley horses, individuals can take several steps, including: | To prevent Charley horses, individuals can take several steps, including: | ||
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* Avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity | * Avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity | ||
* Wearing appropriate footwear that provides adequate support | * Wearing appropriate footwear that provides adequate support | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
When a Charley horse occurs, the following measures can help alleviate the pain: | When a Charley horse occurs, the following measures can help alleviate the pain: | ||
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* Taking over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary | * Taking over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary | ||
* Ensuring adequate hydration and electrolyte intake | * Ensuring adequate hydration and electrolyte intake | ||
==Related Conditions== | ==Related Conditions== | ||
Charley horses are similar to other types of muscle cramps and spasms, such as: | Charley horses are similar to other types of muscle cramps and spasms, such as: | ||
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* [[Muscle strain]] | * [[Muscle strain]] | ||
* [[Myalgia]] | * [[Myalgia]] | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Muscle cramp]] | * [[Muscle cramp]] | ||
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* [[Muscle strain]] | * [[Muscle strain]] | ||
* [[Myalgia]] | * [[Myalgia]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{Commons category|Charley horse}} | {{Commons category|Charley horse}} | ||
[[Category:Musculoskeletal disorders]] | [[Category:Musculoskeletal disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Nervous and musculoskeletal systems]] | [[Category:Symptoms and signs: Nervous and musculoskeletal systems]] | ||
[[Category:Sports injuries]] | [[Category:Sports injuries]] | ||
{{medicine-stub}} | {{medicine-stub}} | ||
{{No image}} | {{No image}} | ||
Latest revision as of 22:40, 3 April 2025
| Charley horse | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Muscle cramp, leg cramp |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Sudden, involuntary muscle contraction |
| Complications | Muscle soreness, muscle strain |
| Onset | Sudden |
| Duration | Seconds to minutes |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, muscle fatigue |
| Risks | Exercise, pregnancy, age |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, patient history |
| Differential diagnosis | Deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease |
| Prevention | Hydration, stretching exercises, balanced diet |
| Treatment | Stretching, massage, heat therapy |
| Medication | Analgesics, muscle relaxants |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | N/A |
Charley horse is a colloquial term for a painful involuntary muscle spasm or cramp, typically occurring in the leg muscles. These cramps can be sudden and severe, often causing significant discomfort and temporary immobility. Charley horses are most commonly experienced in the calf muscles but can also affect the thighs and feet.
Causes[edit]
Charley horses can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance, particularly low levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium
- Overuse or strain of the muscle
- Prolonged sitting or standing in one position
- Poor blood circulation
- Nerve compression
- Certain medications, such as diuretics and statins
Symptoms[edit]
The primary symptom of a Charley horse is a sudden, sharp pain in the affected muscle. The muscle may feel hard to the touch and may be visibly knotted or twitching. The pain can last from a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, residual soreness may persist for a day or two after the cramp has subsided.
Prevention[edit]
To prevent Charley horses, individuals can take several steps, including:
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
- Maintaining a balanced diet rich in electrolytes
- Stretching and warming up before physical activity
- Avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity
- Wearing appropriate footwear that provides adequate support
Treatment[edit]
When a Charley horse occurs, the following measures can help alleviate the pain:
- Gently stretching and massaging the affected muscle
- Applying heat to relax the muscle or cold to reduce pain and inflammation
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary
- Ensuring adequate hydration and electrolyte intake
Related Conditions[edit]
Charley horses are similar to other types of muscle cramps and spasms, such as:
See Also[edit]
- Muscle cramp
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Restless legs syndrome
- Muscle strain
- Myalgia
References[edit]
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External Links[edit]
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