Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. It typically happens in the evening or nighttime hours when you're sitting or lying down. Moving eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily.

Restless legs syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, can begin at any age and generally worsens as you age. It can disrupt sleep, which interferes with daily activities.

 

The chief symptom is an urge to move the legs, usually on both sides of the body. Less commonly, the sensations affect the arms. People typically describe RLS symptoms as compelling, unpleasant sensations in the legs or feet but sometimes the sensations are difficult to explain. People with RLS usually don't describe the condition as a muscle cramp or numbness. They do, however, consistently describe the desire to move the legs. It's common for symptoms to fluctuate in severity. Sometimes, symptoms disappear for periods of time, then come back.

Some common descriptions associated with RLS, which generally occur within the limb rather than on the skin, are:

• Crawling
• Creeping
• Pulling
• Throbbing
• Aching
• Itching
• Electric

Accompanying characteristics of RLS include:

• Sensations that begin while resting. The sensation typically begins after you've been lying down or sitting for an extended time, such as in a car, airplane or movie theater.
• The sensation of RLS lessens with movement, such as stretching, jiggling the legs, pacing or walking.
• Worsening of symptoms in the evening. Symptoms occur mainly at night.
• Nighttime leg twitching. RLS may be associated with another, more common condition called periodic limb movement of sleep, which causes the legs to twitch and kick, possibly throughout the night, while you sleep.

 

A diagnosis of RLS is based on the following criteria, established by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group:

• An urge to move the legs usually but not always accompanied by or felt to be caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs.
• The urge to move the legs and any accompanying unpleasant sensations begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity such as lying down or sitting.
• The urge to move the legs and any accompanying unpleasant sensations are partially or totally relieved by movement, such as walking or stretching, at least as long as the activity continues.
• The urge to move the legs and any accompanying unpleasant sensations during rest or inactivity only occur or are worse in the evening or night than during the day.
• The occurrence of the above features are not solely accounted for as symptoms primary to another medical or a behavioral condition (e.g., myalgia, venous stasis, leg edema, arthritis, leg cramps, positional discomfort, habitual foot tapping).

Along with evaluating your descriptions and medical history, your provider may conduct a physical and a neurological exam and possibly order several tests to rule out other medical or behavioral conditions, e.g., iron deficiency, sleep disorders, arthritis, etc.