A 49-year-old member asked:
what are causes of "charlie-horses"?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kenneth Tepper answered
Orthopedic Surgery 25 years experience
Many reasons: muscle fatigue, circulation problems, dehydration, potassium deficiency are a few reasons. See your physician.
3496 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Milroy Samuel answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 24 years experience
Hmmm: Tough question. Several theories. Lack of movement can sometimes contribute. It also maybe related to calcium and magnesium imbalances. Make sure you are taking supplements if you are prone to them.
5194 viewsAnswered Feb 3, 2019Merged
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is causing these charley horses?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Willa Terry answered
Pediatrics 32 years experience
Muscle Cramps: Muscle cramping (charley horse) can be caused by muscle overuse/fatigue and usually responds to stretching and massage. Frequent muscle cramping may indicate imbalances in the levels of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphate) in the blood, or poor circulation.
6052 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
IL
A 47-year-old female asked:
What are treatment and causes for a charlie horse in shins
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. John Kayvanfar answered
Sports Medicine 46 years experience
Refer to answer: Treatment is rest, ice and stretch. Reduce your sport activity by 50 percent, and wait till your charlie horse goes away, then increase activity in a very graded fashion. Causes are sudden increase in activity, running, jogging, and marching.Main cause is sudden increase in size of muscle within a compartment that does not expand suddenly.
6152 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Bruce Prager commented
Sports Medicine 42 years experience
The pain you are describing usually comes about with increased activity. It is called exertional compartment syndrome and Dr. Kayvanfar is correct when he stated that the muscle increases in size, but the compartment does not adapt for the increase. There is a lining of the compartment called the fascia and it restricts the muscle thus causing the pain. Activity reduction followed by stretching
Jan 7, 2012
A 46-year-old member asked:
What causes a charlie horse?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Alan Ettinger answered
Podiatry 49 years experience
Muscle cramps: A buildup of Lactic Acid causes the muscle to cramp.
5706 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
What causes inner thigb charley horse?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Bernard Bach Jr answered
Orthopedic Surgery 42 years experience
Probably groin muscl: It's probably the adductor muscle group. Drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement fluids. Stretch the affected muscle group.
4789 viewsAnswered Jan 24, 2020
A 40-year-old member asked:
Can you tell me what could be causing all of the charlie horses?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Romanth Waghmarae answered
Pain Management 39 years experience
Spasms: This is weak question and cannot be answered without knowing more details.
1548 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Feb 3, 2019
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.