Does anyone suffer from random hand cramping and finger contractures?

I had cramping in my pinky and ring finger, predominantly on my right side. I had cubital tunnel syndrome. The cramping was awful. In any event, I had cubital tunnel release surgery on both elbows and have not had any further problems. Good luck.

@cindychesler Technically, you had cubital tunnel surgery. I know because my nerve conduction study concluded I had both. Here is a page from the Cleveland Clinic about the two types:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4005-carpal-tunnel-syndrome
But labels don't matter. Was your surgeon able to do it under local anesthesia? I am terrified at my age of general anesthesia.

@steveinarizona let us know how things work out for you.

@steveinarizona Yes, I had cubital tunnel surgery. My physician at Mayo has referred to it many times as cubital tunnel release. Actually, I had both carpal tunnel surgery and cubital tunnel surgery at the same time, one arm at a time under anesthesia. Good luck.

@martyg Yes. When I first was diagnosed and after I went under the care of an epileptologist, he ordered a neuro-psych exam, useful as a baseline. After 2 years on the meds, I was having a lot of memory and dexterity issues, prompting me to inquire. Understandably, the dexterity, slowness, tremors and difficulty overall was likely due to the brain-slowing meds (playing guitar and using tools it's as if I'd been drinking), I wanted to know if my memory issues were due to the meds, or possible complications arising from my cavernous angioma, or was it brain damage from the seizures. He ordered a second neuro-psych test and an MRI, where it was concluded that it was likely the meds.

My memory was once my gift. I had excellent math and music skills. All gone. I can't accurately work with numbers. I have facial blindness. I can't be trusted to swing a hammer. I'm afraid to drive, even though I've been seizure-free since 2019. I doubt I could pass a field sobriety test. I lose my balance if my eyes are closed or if I turn my head too fast. We've decreased the dosage to the lowest my epileptologist feels comfortable with.

I have forgotten what it feels like to be sober. I'm persistent, especially with myself, so I'll keep trying. Wrestling with my own discomfort seems to come with the territory.

I have had this problem for decades. Gripping a steering wheel, using utensils, holding things. The thumb goes inward towards palm, other fingers crap to the palm, it goes into a claw.
I have been trying to get answers for years. My feet do the same, hard tendons and ligaments curl my arch, toes curl under and foot/ankle twist.
These are NOT one time things, but all the time. My potassium, magnesium, B12, everything is perfect. I also have bleeding thre my skin. Arms worse, just spontaneous bleeding. Wake up with more, mostly on my arms.

Hi. I posed your question to ChatGPT and said "my friend has..." Here's what came up. (About the Gabapentin: do some research on that drug. Watch some medical videos about it on youtube. Not a good drug to be taking if you can do w/o it. I took it once and had to get off of it. (I had neuro Lyme disease and was prescribed that before I actually was diagnosed/treated.)

What your friend is describing sounds more like muscle cramping, dystonia, or nerve-related muscle contractions than a structural hand problem.
Some possibilities a neurologist might consider include:
Cervical spine (neck) issues – A pinched nerve in the neck can sometimes cause hand weakness, spasms, cramping, or abnormal finger movements. The hand specialist's comment about the spine makes sense.
Focal hand dystonia – A neurological movement disorder where muscles contract involuntarily, causing fingers to curl or assume abnormal positions. It can occur intermittently.
Peripheral nerve disorders – Problems with nerves outside the brain and spinal cord can sometimes cause cramping and spasms.
Muscle cramp syndromes – Some people develop recurrent painful cramps despite normal blood work.
Early movement disorders – Less commonly, neurologists look for conditions affecting muscle control and coordination.
Medication effects – Certain medications can contribute to muscle cramps or dystonic reactions.
Electrolyte fluctuations not captured on testing – Even with normal lab results, occasional shifts in hydration or electrolytes can sometimes contribute.
A few questions that would help narrow things down:
How old is your friend?
Does it affect one hand or both?
Do the spasms occur during specific activities (writing, typing, cooking, driving)?
Is there any numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness?
Any neck pain or history of neck arthritis/disc problems?
Do the fingers "lock" in a particular position, or is it more of a painful cramp?
The neurologist will often order an EMG/NCS (nerve conduction study) if the blood tests are normal. That test can identify many nerve and muscle disorders that don't show up on X-rays or routine lab work.
One thing that catches my attention is that the fingers involved are mainly the index finger, middle finger, and thumb, which are largely supplied by nerves that originate from the C6-C7 levels in the neck. That doesn't prove it's a neck issue, but it makes the spine theory worth investigating.
If your friend develops worsening weakness, trouble using the hand, muscle wasting, or symptoms spreading to other body areas, they should let the neurologist know promptly rather than waiting for the next appointment.

@sixtiesrick I was meeting with my neurologist and mentioned to him that I am struggling with balance and he told me about a neurodiagnostic rehabilitation PT facility in my market. I had my initial evaluation with them and I was impressed. Note that it was my neurologist, not my knee surgeon, who referred me.

You might check if there is a similar facility in your market.