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Hand or foot spasms

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• Treatment

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

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:

• 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

Common Causes:

• 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: 9/26/2006
• Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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