Periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) involves the involuntary, repetitive movement of the legs and sometimes the arms while you are asleep. These movements usually occur in the big toe and at the ankle in association with a knee and sometimes hip movement. Because these movements occur only during sleep in certain patients, your healthcare provider may refer to this as a “state-dependent motor response”. These movements occur at regular intervals, usually every twenty to forty seconds and typically are brief in duration of ½ second to 5 seconds.).At least forty movements during eight hours of sleep are required for the diagnosis. Learn more:
