Patient Education

Spasms are contractions of the hands, thumbs, feet, or toes and are sometimes seen with muscle cramps, twitching, and convulsions. The contractions of the muscles can be violent.

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

Common causes of spasms include:

• Vitamin D deficiency.
• Hyperventilation (calcium becomes temporarily unavailable to the body during hyperventilation).
• Hypocalcemia.
• Muscle cramps, usually caused by sports or occupational muscle injury.
• Parkinson's disease and other neuromuscular conditions.

Spasms of the hands or feet can be an important early warning sign of other serious health problems, so it is important to seek medical attention. Treatments may include calcium and Vitamin D supplements (if you have a deficiency).