Nocturnal Leg Cramps: Night-time Calf Muscle Pain. Nocturnal leg cramps can lead to a rude awakening: You’re suddenly sleepless and in pain in the middle of the night. Symptoms of nocturnal leg cramps include excruciating contractions of the calf muscles, and sometimes of the foot muscles as well. Nocturnal leg cramps are true cramps and not spasms. The muscle remains in a cramped and contracted position, which accounts for the intensity of the pain.