Hand or foot spasms

Definition

Alternative Names

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

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