Restless Legs Syndrome and Related Disorders - Diagnosis

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Intermittent Claudication and Peripheral Artery Disease. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when atherosclerosis (commonly called hardening of the arteries) affects the feet and legs. In such cases, the arteries become blocked, obstructing oxygen-rich blood flow. Intermittent claudication is an important symptom of PAD and occurs in between a third and half of these patients. Claudication is taken from the Latin word "to limp". The name is used to describe the pain that occurs in PAD patients when they exercise, particularly during walking. In intermittent claudication, blood flow is sufficient to meet the needs of the person at rest. The result is leg pain during exercise, which is relieved by rest.

Click the icon to see an image of peripheral artery disease.

Akathisia. Akathisia is a state of restlessness or agitation and feelings of muscle quivering. A condition called hypotensive akathisia is caused by failure in the autonomic nervous system. Unlike RLS, it occurs at any time of the day and usually only when the patient is sitting -- not lying down. Akathisia itself can also be caused by drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses, with anti-nausea drugs, or when drugs to treat Parkinson's disease are withdrawn.

Painful Legs and Moving Toes Syndrome. A rare disorder affecting one or both legs, painful legs and moving toes syndrome is marked by a constant deep, throbbing ache in the limbs and involuntary toe movements. The discomfort may be mild or severe. It intensifies with activity and usually ceases during sleep. In most cases the cause is unknown, though it may arise from spinal injuries or herpes zoster infection. The condition is difficult to treat, although the drug baclofen, combined with either clonazepam or carbamazepine, has shown some success. Other therapies that may help include orthotics for the shoes and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Meralgia Paresthetica. An uncommon nerve condition, meralgia paresthetic is characterized by numbness, pain, tingling, or burning on the front and side of the thigh. It usually occurs on one side and is thought to be due to compression of the thigh nerve as it passes through the pelvis. It occurs most commonly in people ages 30 - 60 years, but it can affect people of all ages. It often goes away on its own.

Review Date: 10/18/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital