Do the elderely get cramp?

[RATTER15]

It has occurred to me that none of the elderly that I work with get any cramps, In 6 years of working at the home I have never known anyone get cramp and none of them are on medication for cramp.

Why is this?

[seadogg]

Its all in the mind Ratter. Some old school friends have been elderly since they were 50 yet one of my fittest walking mates is 75, a year younger than myself.

[VivienneM]

I don't know about the age thing, but I find the pain of cramp can be alleviated almost instantly if you can get up and stand up straight with knees unbent. If the pain and spasm makes getting out of bed impossible, try and force your toes upwards, towards your knees, if you see what I mean. The muscle spasm can make this very difficult but it will stop the pain at once if you are able to stretch your leg in this way.

I once thought of inventing a sort of rigid hoop on the end of a pole for the aid of people struck with cramp in bed -- just get the hoop round your toes and pull towards you -- but found it had, of course, already been patented many years ago!

I find I get cramps if I have had a few nights of missed sleep, e.g. not getting to bed until the early hours and so on.

[boxtops]

I'd go for that, ratter :-)

[ladybirder]

Oh dear, something else to look forward to then:-(

[RATTER15]

Dammit!!!!!! one of my ladies got cramp yesterday!!!

[tenrec]

My mum (89 yrs young) is fit and active for her age. Will walk a mile no bother. However, does she suffer with cramp? She gets it about 3 times a night and has to jump out of bed almost every night.