Featured in Woman’s World · November 2026
Ever been jolted awake by a foot cramp? Woman’s World turned to board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Graeme Matthewson to explain what’s happening and why it tends to strike at night.
Dr. Matthewson’s Take
Dr. Matthewson explained that a cramp is a muscle contracting on its own. The nerves that control a muscle in your foot keep signaling it to tighten, so it locks up and won’t let go when you want it to.
Most nighttime cramps have no single clear cause, he noted, but a few things can make them more likely:
- Sleeping position: when your foot stays pointed down for hours, some muscles sit in a shortened position that makes a cramp easier to set off.
- Age: nighttime cramps become more common as nerves and muscles age.
- Muscle fatigue: a day of extra exercise, standing, or walking can leave muscles tired and more prone to cramping overnight.
“A cramp is an involuntary muscle contraction.”
Dealing with frequent foot or leg cramps? Make an appointment with Dr. Matthewson.