@BenA You've probably heard this before, but two things might help:
Hydration before going to bed
Magnesium, at least 250mg daily
I got 4AM cramps as well, and started taking the suppliment every day in the morning, and it seems to help for me. I know the medical results are not conclusive, but it worked for me.
Good luck!
@BenA I used to get them in the back and the front at the same time. Usually you'd jut your heel out to stretch the back, but then the FRONT would knot and even walking on it wouldn't help.
I bought one of those massage balls and use that to rattle the knots out if they get bad. It take a few minutes, but at least I can get my foot to a right angle after a bit.
@kismatt
Thanks. Already taking magnesium and potassium with negative results. Hyper-hydration is the only thing left to try.
What infuriates me are suggestions like "Get up and walk around." These are full scale, rock hard spasms affecting every muscle from my ankle to my knee, which lock my toes fully extended away from my body. I'd have to be a trained ballet dancer skilled in point work to even be able to stand up....