Muscle Spasms, Cramps, and Charley Horses

4. Diagnosing Muscle Cramps

It is usually quite simple to self-diagnose a muscle cramp, though the cause can be harder to determine. X-rays or other diagnostic tests are not usually used for this event. When a person experiences severe cramping in the calf, for instance, they become immediately aware of the sensation and are generally forced to stop whatever movement they are making while the muscle is in spasm. Often, the muscle that is knotted up will feel hard and tense to the touch and bulge out.