Hand or foot spasms

Alternative names:

carpopedal spasm; foot spasms; spasms of the hands or feet

Home care:

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

Call your health care provider if:

• there are recurrent spasms of the hands or feet.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

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?