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Hand or foot spasms
Definition:
Spasms are contractions of the hands, thumbs, feet, or toes that are sometimes seen with muscle cramps, twitching, and convulsions (tetany). They can be severe and painful. Alternative Names:
Foot spasms; Carpopedal spasm; Spasms of the hands or feet Text Continues Below
Considerations:
Spasms of the hands or feet may be an important early sign of tetany, a potentially life-threatening condition. Tetany is a manifestation of an abnormality in calcium level, which can be linked to the following: These spasms are usually accompanied by the following symptoms: - Numbness, tingling, or a "pins-and-needles" feeling
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Cramping
- Twitching
- Uncontrolled, purposeless, rapid motions
Common Causes:
- Muscle cramps, usually caused by sports or occupational muscle injury
- Parkinson's disease and other neuromuscular conditions
- Hypocalcemia
- Causes diffuse, recurrent, or severe muscle cramping
- Severe hypocalcemia can produce convulsions.
- Hyperventilation -- calcium becomes temporarily unavailable to the body during hyperventilation
- Damage to a single nerve or nerve group (mononeuropathy) or multiple nerves (polyneuropathy)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Various medications
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