Hand or foot spasms

• 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)

Note: There may be other causes of hand or foot spasms. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for hand or foot spasms, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
If vitamin D deficient, vitamin D should be taken under the doctor's direction. Calcium supplements may help.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

• there are recurrent spasms of the hands or feet.

What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting hand or foot spasms in detail may include:

• type
  • Do the spasms appear to be involuntary or purposeless?
  • Are they prolonged?

• time pattern
  • At what age did the spasms first appear?
  • Does the presence of spasms seem variable over weeks to months?
  • Do spasms occur repeatedly (recurrent)?
  • Do several spasms occur in a row (repetitive)?
  • Are the spasms slow or rapid?
  • Can the spasms be voluntarily suppressed?
  • How long have you had spasms?

• aggravating factors
  • Is it worse when you exercise ?

• diet
  • How much calcium-containing food do you eat (such as milk products)?

relieving factors

• What have you done to try to treat the spasms?
• How effective was it?