Hand or foot spasms

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Muscular atrophy

Overview Treatment

Hand or foot spasms

If vitamin D deficiency is the cause, supplemental vitamin D should be taken under the doctor's direction. Calcium supplements may also help.

If you notice recurrent spasms of your hands or feet, call your health care provider.

Your provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination. Laboratory testing of blood and urine may also be done.

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

• Do the spasms appear to be involuntary or purposeless?
• Are they prolonged?
• 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?
• Is it worse when you exercise?
• How much calcium-containing food do you eat (such as milk products)?
• What have you done to try to treat the spasms? How effective was it?
• What other symptoms are also present?
  • Do you have numbness or a "pins-and-needles" feeling?
  • Do you have muscle weakness?
  • Do you have fatigue?
  • Do you have muscle cramps elsewhere?
  • Do you have seizures?

Diagnostic tests may include the following:

• Calcium levels (serum calcium)
• Hormone levels
• Renal function tests
• Vitamin D levels (25-OH vitamin D)

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