Anatom3DRestless legs syndrome
Syndroma crurum inquietarum · Syndrom neklidných nohou
What it is
An irresistible urge to move the legs at rest, worst at night; often iron-related.
Symptoms & signs
- Crawling sensation
- urge to move
- relief on walking
- evening worsening
- broken sleep
🚩 Get help if…
- see a doctor soon Symptoms spreading to the arms or through the day after years of treatment
- see a doctor soon Symptoms that started in pregnancy or with kidney disease
- see a doctor soon Tiredness, pale skin or breathlessness — possible low iron
- see a doctor soon Unable to sleep most nights despite treatment
Where it strikes
- Basal ganglia
- Nervous system
- Lower limb
Medical treatment
- Iron infusion if ferritin low
- gabapentin enacarbil or pregabalin
- dopamine agonists (augmentation risk)
Natural & lifestyle
- Ferritin above 75 µg/L
- regular exercise
- no caffeine or alcohol late
- leg stretching
- pneumatic compression
Emerging & experimental
- Vibratory pads
- near-infrared therapy
- dipyridamole trials
Alternative, off-label & anecdotal
Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.
- Magnesium — trials disagree mixed evidence
- Yoga — small trials, better sleep early / small studies
- A bar of soap under the sheets — folk remedy; no evidence anecdotal / traditional
ICD codes
- ICD-10 G25.8
- ICD-11 7A80 Restless legs syndrome