Restless Legs after Total Knee Replacement

After total knee replacement, some patients experience a short-term version of what is known as "restless leg syndrome."  Restless leg syndrome is an urge to move your knee, especially at night while trying to sleep.  This urge can even happen when you are sitting for long periods.  Because you have the urge to move your knee at night, restless leg syndrome can wake you up or make falling asleep difficult. 

What is “restless leg”?
- May occur after joint surgery, especially after knee replacements
- Feeling of diffuse pain, calf pain, cramping, or the urge to move the leg around
- Mostly experienced at night
- Resolves as muscles and joints heal ~ 8-10 weeks after surgery

Other symptoms include:
- Creepy-crawly painful legs
- Burning sensation in the legs
- Tingling or itching legs
- Tightening of the leg muscles
- Twitching or aching legs
- Pulling or cramping in the leg muscles

Keep in mind that this is a temporary version of the condition known as "Restless Leg Syndrome (RSL)," and usually resolves in 4-8 weeks after surgery.  Treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications, walking, exercising and most importantly, just moving your joint.  Sometimes patients need a special medication when symptoms are not effectively treated with the above measures. 

Treatment
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Walking
- Exercising or moving your joint, especially at night
- Stretching
- Contact our office if you have any concerns or for further treatment options!

REQUIP For Restless Leg Syndrome

Requip is the first FDA-approved medication to treat moderate-to-severe primary Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), and may help to improve your symptoms after 2 nights of therapy.

Requip may make you feel very sleepy while doing normal activities such as driving. Side effects include nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, and dizziness, which can be made worse if you are also taking narcotic pain medications for pain relief. Most patients are not significantly bothered by these symptoms, but if these symptoms develop, you may need to stop taking Requip.

Treatment with Requip usually starts 2 - 4 weeks after surgery and continues for ONLY 2-4 weeks. If you have any questions or concerns about Requip do not hesitate to contact us!