Myokymia—a Cause of "Restless Legs"

The purpose of this article is to point out an entity, not previously considered, which can give rise to the complaints described as "restless legs." This manifestation has been termed myokymia. It is characterized by the occurrence of irregular fascicular twitching of the muscles. It is observed most frequently in neurotic persons, in those in debilitated states and in the elderly. The patients complain of a crawling sensation in the skin of the calves and thighs and occasionally of other parts of the body. This is most disturbing when the patient is fatigued and is relaxing, as on retiring. The sensation of crawling under the skin is often accompanied by an unpleasant fatigued aching of the muscle. The twitching tends to disappear during the night, to reappear shortly after waking and to increase during the day. It is intensified by exercise, nervous tension or cold. Persons suffering from this condition