MyMSTeam

Hand curling is actually a recognized symptom for people living with MS — so you're definitely not alone in experiencing this. It happens when MS lesions interfere with how nerves communicate with the muscles in your hands and arms.

There are three main MS-related reasons this can occur:

- Spasticity — Involuntary muscle Show Full Answer

Hand curling is actually a recognized symptom for people living with MS — so you're definitely not alone in experiencing this. It happens when MS lesions interfere with how nerves communicate with the muscles in your hands and arms.

There are three main MS-related reasons this can occur:

- Spasticity — Involuntary muscle stiffness or tightness that keeps joints bent and hard to straighten (called flexor spasticity). Around 84% of people with MS experience some form of spasticity.
- Muscle spasms — Between 40% and 80% of people with MS experience these involuntary contractions, which can cause fingers to curl.
- Joint contractures — When untreated spasticity causes muscles and ligaments to harden, a joint can become "frozen," limiting movement. If left untreated, fingers can become permanently curled, so it's worth talking to your neurologist sooner rather than later.

Treatment options can include:

- Wearing a splint or brace
- Physical or occupational therapy and stretching exercises
- Medications like baclofen or tizanidine to relax muscles
- Botox injections for involuntary curling
- In some cases, surgery to repair nerve or tendon damage

A MyMSTeam member shared, "My hands will spasm into claws so badly that I refrain from driving any farther than the store." — so others truly understand what this feels like.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

MS Hand Curling: Why Fingers Curl Involuntarily With Multiple Sclerosis