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Deep anterior muscles
Deep anterior muscles

Fasciculations of muscle
Definition:
Fasciculations of muscle are defined as fine muscle movements or twitching of a small area of muscle.

Alternative Names:
Muscle fasciculation; Muscle twitching

Considerations:
Muscle twitching is the result of minor local muscle contractions or the uncontrollable twitching of a single muscle group served by a single motor nerve fiber or filament.

Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal, while others indicate a neurologic disorder.
Common Causes:
  • Benign, nonpathologic fasciculations (not caused by disease or disorders)
    • Often affect the eyelids, calf, or thumb
    • Normal and quite common, often triggered by stress or anxiety
  • A diet deficiency
  • Drug overdose
  • Drug side effect (such as diuretics, corticosteroids and estrogens)
  • Exercise

Symptoms suggestive of a neurological cause of fasciculations include:

  • Atrophy of muscle
  • Weakness
  • Other findings of nerve dysfunction

Neurological illnesses where fasciculations are seen include:

  • Chronic denervation of muscle due to disc compression of nerve exiting the spinal cord
  • ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
  • Spinal muscular atrophy
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myopathy
Home Care:
There is usually no treatment necessary.
Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if there are prolonged or persistent muscle twitches.
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 your fasciculations in detail may include:
  • When did you first notice the twitching?
  • How long does it last?
  • How often do you experience twitching?
  • What muscles are affected?
  • Is it always the same location
  • Are you pregnant?
  • What other symptoms are also present?
Diagnostic tests vary depending on the suspected cause. There is often no need to treat this symptom.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a condition was diagnosed related to fasciculations, you may want to note this in your personal medical record.
Review Date: 7/30/2001
Reviewed By: Galit Kleiner-Fisman MD, FRCP(C), Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, toronto, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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