Restless legs, especially with an urge to move, are the main complaint in restless legs syndrome. Mostly they are described as abnormal sensations in the legs, but occasionally also in the arms, such as tingling, pulling, tearing, itching, burning or pain. The discomfort can be temporarily relieved by movement and occurs mainly when sitting, lying down or before falling asleep. Muscle cramps or twitching may also be present, mainly in the legs, although there may also be a variety of causes for these. Abnormal sensations in the legs are also often associated with diseases of the peripheral nerves (polyneuropathy), but this can also lead to restless legs. Involuntary movements in the legs occur in the form of various movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease or dystonia. Stiffness in the legs can also occur in the chronic stage after a stroke or in paraplegia. This can also be accompanied by muscle spasms and muscle twitching.
