Restless Legs Syndrome in Paraplegia

Paraplegics cannot normally feel sensation in the lower half of their bodies, but many paraplegics feel phantom sensations similar to those felt by amputees. According to MedicineNet.com, the symptoms of restless leg syndrome are eased with motion. Unfortunately, paraplegics cannot move their legs in order to get the sensation to cease, making treatment particularly tricky.

Definition

• Restless leg syndrome (RLS) causes uncomfortable sensations throughout the body. Sensations are usually centered in the legs and can be described as painful, uncomfortable and annoying. A person with RLS has an uncontrollable urge to move the legs because movement temporarily stops the sensations. The onset of symptoms usually occurs in the evening or at night time when the body becomes inactive and relaxed.

Considerations

• Those who are at risk for paraplegic RLS are those who have lost sensation in the lower extremities due to spinal cord injury, tumors, birth defects or disease. The No. 1 cause of paraplegia is spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury occurs when damage is caused to the spinal cord itself or to the bones and tissues surrounding the spinal cord. Most causes of spinal cord injury are traumatic causes such as car accidents, gun shot wounds, surgical trauma and industrial accidents.

Presentation

• According to the RLS Foundation, symptoms usually occur at night and affect the lower body more intensely than the rest of the body. In fact, most people who suffer from RLS complain of leg symptoms only. The sensations associated with RLS are described in several different ways including itching, crawling, tingling, pulling and aching. The symptoms begin once the body becomes inactive and continue to intensify as long as the body remains at rest. Getting up and moving around usually provides some temporary relief.

Treatment

• The treatment for RLS without paraplegia often involves exercise and some form of physical therapy. Exercises can be completed by paraplegics with the help of a physical therapist or a helpful family member. Other treatment options for paraplegics include medication, vitamin supplements, diet change and the elimination of stimulants. In many cases, the exact trigger for RLS can be identified and removed. For example: Many over-the-counter medications can cause RLS symptoms. The symptoms can also be triggered by caffeine. Once the stimulant is removed, symptoms often cease.

Prognosis

• There is no cure for RLS, but it can be managed. Since the condition normally becomes worse with age, close monitoring is recommended. Many patients report that their restless-leg condition comes and goes. While remissions are common, the condition almost always returns. Lifelong monitoring and treatment is needed to keep RLS under control.