Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (cont.)

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Medical Author:

Wayne E Anderson, DO

Medical Editor:

Selim R Benbadis, MD

Medical Editor:

Mary L Windle, PharmD

Medical Editor:

Stephen Berman, MD, PhD

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Viewer Comments: Periodic Limb Movement Disorder - Diagnosis

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Symptoms

The most common symptoms noted by people with PLMD are not leg movements but poor sleep and daytime sleepiness. Many people with PLMD are unaware of their leg movements unless their bed partner tells them.

Leg movements involve one or both limbs.

Typically the knee, ankle, and big toe joints all bend as part of the movements.
The movements vary from slight to strenuous and wild kicking and thrashing.
The movements last about 2 seconds (and thus are much slower than the leg jerks of myoclonus).
The movements are rhythmic and repetitive and occur every 20-40 seconds.