Restless leg syndrome

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Superficial anterior muscles

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Restless leg syndrome

Alternative Names:

Nocturnal myoclonus; RLS

Symptoms:

Sleeping difficulty
Persistent leg movements during sleep hours
Irresistible urge to move the legs
Abnormal sensation in the legs (occasionally, feet, thighs, arms)
- Creeping sensations or discomfort (not pain, not cramps) relieved by movement of the legs
- May occur during the day
- Worse when lying down

Note: Symptoms may be worse during stress or emotional upset.

Signs and tests:

There is no specific examination for restless leg syndrome. No structural or other abnormalities are usually discovered unless peripheral nerve disease is also present. A blood test may be done to rule out anemia, which rarely has been associated with restless leg syndrome.

Examination and testing may be used to rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms, especially disorders associated with claudication of the legs.

Review Date: 8/1/2004
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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