Hand or foot spasms

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Muscular atrophy

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.

Foot spasms; Carpopedal spasm; Spasms of the hands or feet

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:

• Lack of vitamin D
• Lessened function of the parathyroid glands (hypoparathyroidism)
• Alkalosis in the body
• Ingestion of alkaline salts

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

• Muscle cramps , usually caused by sports or occupational muscle injury
• Parkinson's disease
• Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood)
• Hypermagnesemia (high magnesium levels in the blood)
• Thyroid disorders
• Dystonia
• Huntington's disease
• 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

Review Date: 09/26/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.