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Leg cramps - unknown cause - Management
Basis for recommendation
CKS could not identify any national guidelines on referral advice for leg cramps in primary care. These recommendations are based on expert opinion from review articles [Miller and Layzer, 2005; Shaker et al, 2005] and pragmatism.
- A referral will allow further investigations (e.g. electromyography studies, muscle biopsy) to confirm or exclude an underlying cause for leg cramps. Specialists may then offer treatments (e.g. naftidrofuryl, diltiazem, vitamin B, vitamin E, magnesium, or verapamil) in addition to primary care measures.
- The evidence for treatments that might be offered by a specialist is limited to small uncontrolled trials, and is currently of uncertain benefit [Young, 2007].
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