Muscle cramps frequently occur in the lower extremity muscles, which feel stiff, tingling and severe pain.

Causes

• Improper ultrafiltration
  1. Excessive amounts of ultrafiltration per unit time
  2. Excessive amounts of total ultrafiltration
• The ideal weight is set too low
• Imbalance of electrolytes (e.g. calcium and phosphorus) in the blood
• Serum electrolytes imbalance (e.g. sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus)

Prevention and Handling

• Don't change your posture quickly. Keep your body warm.
• Apply a hot compress to the spastic site.
• Massage the muscle and fix the spastic site; get up and walk around after dialysis.
• Reduce the amount of ultrafiltration and slow down the blood flow according to doctor's advice.
• Intravenous infusion of saline is given according to the doctor's advice.
• Slowly inject 50% glucose solution as directed.