Hand or Foot Spasms: Causes and Connection to Tetany

Hand or foot spasms are contractions of the hands, thumbs, feet, or toes and are sometimes seen with muscle cramps, twitching, and convulsions. These contractions of the muscles can be violent.

Spasms of the hands or feet are 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 a lack of Vitamin D, lessened function of the parathyroid glands, alkalosis in the body, or the ingestion of alkaline salts.

Carpopedal spasms are usually accompanied by numbness, tingling, or a “pins-and-needles” feeling in the fingers, toes, and around the mouth; muscle weakness; fatigue; cramping; twitching; and uncontrolled,
purposeless, rapid motions.

Common Causes

• Hyperventilation (calcium becomes temporarily unavailable to the body)
• Hypocalcemia
• Muscle cramps, usually caused by sports or occupational muscle injury
• Parkinson’s disease and other neuromuscular conditions