My Legs Feel Jumpy. Could It Be Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Some people have trouble sitting still. But in certain instances, the issue lies less with a person’s personality and more with the state of their physical body. 

Specifically, if you have a condition called restless legs syndrome (RLS), you might feel a nearly uncontrollable urge to move your legs. They might feel jumpy or twitchy, and you probably experience this sensation most often at night — interfering with your sleep. 

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s time to visit our team at Vascular & Interventional Associates. As experts in treating restless legs, we help people throughout northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati, Ohio, area soothe their legs and get relief.

When jumpy legs can mean RLS

A sudden but passing urge to move your legs doesn’t mean you have this neurological movement disorder. But you may be diagnosed with RLS when you regularly experience sensations that make you feel like you need to move your legs.

In addition to jumpy legs, many people with restless legs syndrome report feelings such as:

• Aching
• Itching
• Pulling
• Crawling
• An electric shock

There’s another way to differentiate RLS from other leg twitching. With this condition, you usually don’t have symptoms in the early part of the day. The jumpy, restless sensation generally starts to set in later in the afternoon or evening, often after a period of rest. For most people, RLS is at its most uncomfortable at night as they try to sleep. 

With restless legs syndrome, if you get up and move your legs, symptoms generally ease.

If all of this sounds familiar, make an appointment with our team. 

Soothing your legs

At Vascular & Interventional Associates, we work to get to the root cause of your leg issues. Restless legs syndrome can stem from a number of problems, from iron deficiency to chronic venous insufficiency. 

To figure out what could be contributing to your jumpy legs, we perform a physical exam paired with other diagnostic tests. We might do a blood test to check your iron levels, for example, or perform a painless, noninvasive diagnostic vascular ultrasound to see how blood travels in your legs. 

In some cases, we find an underlying cause that we can treat. If we can’t pinpoint a root issue, we customize a treatment plan to you that addresses your symptoms. That usually includes some combination of medication and lifestyle changes. 

Many people find relief with an option like muscle relaxants paired with regular physical activity and consistent warm baths, for example. 

To get some relief from the jumping sensation in your legs, talk with our team of RLS experts. Get started by calling our office in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, or by booking your visit online today.