Muscle spasms and tetanus: what to know

Tetanus can cause painful muscle stiffness and spasms, especially around the jaw, and needs urgent medical assessment. It is linked to toxins made by bacteria entering through broken skin, often after a wound.

Tetanus spasms may affect the jaw, neck, abdomen, or other muscles and can become triggered by touch, noise, or movement. Difficulty swallowing, a rigid abdomen, sweating, fever, or changes in blood pressure may occur. A muscle twitch after exercise or a single ordinary cramp is not enough to diagnose tetanus. Risk depends on the wound and immunisation history, so a clinician should assess injuries that may have been contaminated.

If you have a deep, dirty, puncture, bite, burn, or crush wound, wash it gently with clean running water and seek prompt medical advice. Do not close a deep wound yourself or remove deeply embedded material. Tell the clinician when the injury happened, how it occurred, and when you last received tetanus vaccination. Vaccination and wound care are central to prevention; details are available under Tetanus Vaccination.

Seek emergency care immediately for jaw tightness, difficulty swallowing or breathing, repeated painful spasms, severe stiffness, or rapidly worsening symptoms, particularly after a wound. Do not wait for symptoms if a high-risk wound has not been assessed. Keep the person safe from falls and avoid forcing the jaw open while arranging help.

Ask whether the wound needs professional cleaning, whether your vaccination history is up to date, and whether preventive treatment is needed. Explain any earlier tetanus doses, immune problems, and symptoms such as jaw stiffness or spasms.