Muscle Cramps in Old Adults: Clinical Features and Pathophysiology.
10.4235/jkgs.2013.17.4.171
- Author:
Joong Hoon LEE
1
;
Jae Young LIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drlim1@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Age;
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy;
Staghorn calculi
- MeSH:
Adult*;
Comorbidity;
Diagnosis;
Diuretics;
Exercise;
Humans;
Muscle Cramp*;
Muscle, Skeletal;
Muscles*;
Nephrostomy, Percutaneous;
Nervous System
- From:Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society
2013;17(4):171-177
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Muscle cramps are defined as painful, spasmodic, involuntary skeletal muscle contractions during or immediately after physical exercise. Muscle cramps have a typical clinical presentation, as the definition and the diagnosis is made based on a typical history together with the findings on clinical examination. Muscle cramps are self-extinguishing within seconds to minutes or relieved by stretching, and is often accompanied by a palpable knotting of the muscle. Old adults are prone to get muscle cramps, which may occur in patients with diseases, but also occur often in healthy subjects with no history of nervous system or metabolic disorders. Comorbidity and multiple medications, including diuretics due to an underlying disease, can be a part of the reason in old adults. We reviewed articles regarding the etiology of muscle cramps and introduced a new hypothesis of 'altered neuromuscular control', which has been documented recently.
