Sleep Disorders

Periodic Leg Movements

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

Periodic leg movements are repetitive movements that occur about every 20 to 40 seconds in the lower limbs while a person is sleeping. These movements may be jerking, flailing and kicking motions, an upward flexing of the feet or brief twitches. The repetitive movement may last for a period of a few minutes to several hours. People who experience these movements may not even be aware of it and their bed partner may be the one to alert them of it.

Although it varies for each person, people with periodic leg movements may also experience insomnia or daytime fatigue, caused by interrupted sleep. In addition, they may suffer from restless legs syndrome (RLS), a sensation in a person's legs that causes a strong, often irresistible urge to move them as they try to fall asleep or when they awaken at night. This sensation has been described as uncomfortable and, in some cases, painful. Other words used to describe these sensations include creeping, itching, pulling, creepy-crawly and tugging. Although rare, these sensations also may occur in the arms and other parts of the body.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated November 4, 2007