Is it normal to have muscle cramps after surgery?
Sophia Carter
Updated on March 30, 2026
Is it normal to have muscle cramps after surgery?
Fraifeld, MD, president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, says that following back surgery people commonly experience a lot of muscle spasms. Abdominal surgery, on the other hand, typically causes cramping pain as the bowels work to get back to normal.
How do you stop foot spasms after surgery?
There are, however, five steps you can take to try to get rid of the spasm:
- Stretch the affected area.
- Massage the affected area with your hands or a massage roller.
- Stand up and walk around.
- Apply heat or ice.
- Take painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Why does my foot hurt after ankle surgery?
The pain is usually self-limiting. There can be a couple of causes, but the most common is that the heel tissue gets irritated when a person begins to increase their walking and general weight-bearing after being off their foot for an extended period of time, recovering from the surgery.
When should I be concerned about foot cramps?
When to see a doctor Muscle cramps usually disappear on their own and are rarely serious enough to require medical care. However, see your doctor if your cramps: Cause severe discomfort. Are associated with leg swelling, redness or skin changes.
How can you tell the difference between a blood clot and a leg cramp?
whereas cramp can be ‘walked off’ and thus go away, pain caused by a blood clot is more likely to persist. bending the foot at the ankle, so that the toes point upwards, will cause or intensify pain in the calf muscle if a blood clot is present.
Can surgery cause leg cramps?
Nocturnal leg cramps disturb the quality of life in patients with lumbar spine disease, both preoperatively and postoperatively. Matsumoto et al. (2009) reported that leg cramps were sustained or worsened in over 70% of patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis after decompression surgery.
How do you get rid of foot cramps fast?
Stretch your foot forcefully to relieve the cramp by flexing your foot and pressing down on your big toe. Walking around and jiggling your leg may also help with both foot and leg cramps. Taking a warm bath or shower or using ice may ease any lingering pain. Deep tissue massage may help in the long term.
What happens if you walk too soon after ankle surgery?
Putting any weight on an operated foot or ankle can damage the repair that’s been done. Bones need time to heal. Plates or screws that may have been added during surgery need the bones to heal around them. Adding weight too soon can interrupt this important internal healing process.
What is normal pain after foot surgery?
It is normal to experience swelling and pain after foot surgery especially if tissue has been cut or removed and bones were moved back into place. You may even experience tingling or burning as your foot heals. Once healing takes place, the pain should continue to decrease until it subsides.
How long will my foot hurt after surgery?
For most foot and ankle operations, tenderness and swelling can take 3-4 months to resolve, while for more complicated procedures, the recovery may take a full year (or more). On your first return visit, your cast or bandage will be removed for the first time.
How do you stop a foot cramp?
Foot Cramp Treatment
- If you’re sitting or lying down, stand up and put weight on your cramping foot.
- Actively lift your foot and toes, pulling them up toward your nose.
- Rub your muscle gently as you stretch it.
- If ice is not working, put heat on the cramped muscle with a warm towel or heating pad.
What is dystonia of the foot?
Curled, clenched toes or a painful cramped foot are telltale signs of dystonia. Dystonia is a sustained or repetitive muscle twisting, spasm or cramp that can occur at different times of day and in different stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD).