10 Causes Of Leg Shaking - Medical News Today

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Why is my leg shaking?

Medically reviewed by Kelsey Nank, PA-C — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on May 21, 2025

Tremor
RLS
Tardive dyskinesia
Anxiety
Stimulant drugs
Alcohol
Neuropathy
FND
Hyperthyroidism
Parkinson's disease
When to see a doctor
Summary

Leg shaking can happen for many reasons, ranging from restless legs syndrome (RLS) and tremors to more severe conditions such as dementia.

It is not possible to diagnose the cause of shaky legs based on symptoms alone. For this reason, people who experience leg shaking should speak to a doctor or healthcare professional.

Tremor

A cat walking past a person who may have shaky legs. — Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Getty Images

A tremor is an involuntary muscle contraction. The contraction is rhythmic, so a person might feel the muscle shaking or moving at predictable intervals.

A person with a leg tremor may notice their leg shaking while a muscle or group of muscles pulses or spasms out of control. The tremor can be constant or only happen occasionally.

A tremor can develop on its own or as a symptom of a neurological disorder. Causes of tremor include:

neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or multiple sclerosis
medications, such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids
excessive caffeine use, as this can cause a tremor or worsen an existing one
stress, anxiety, and fatigue
medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, liver failure, or kidney failure
diabetes, as tremors can develop as a result of high or low blood sugar
exposure to heavy metals or neurotoxins, such as mercury, lead, and pesticides

A rare type of tremor, called primary orthostatic tremor, specifically affects the legs and torso. People with this condition notice a sudden tremor upon standing.

RLS

Those with RLS experience an overwhelming need to move their legs. They may also experience a crawling or creeping sensation in their feet, calves, and thighs. The symptoms can appear at any time, but appear to be worse at night.

Although shaky legs is not a symptom of RLS, it can cause involuntary jerking of the legs and arms. This is called periodic limb movements (PLM).

In most cases, there is no clear cause of RLS. In other cases, RLS has associations with an underlying health condition, such as iron deficiency anemia or kidney failure.

It can also affect pregnant people. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) notes that 1 in 5 pregnant people will experience symptoms of RLS in the last 3 months of pregnancy. It usually stops after giving birth.

Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is an involuntary movement disorder that causes uncontrolled movements throughout the body, including in the limbs, face, and torso.

It is caused by certain medications that change the way the body responds to dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that affects movement. Medications that cause tardive dyskinesia include:

antidepressants
antipsychotics
lithium
some antiemetic medications
metoclopramide
some antihistamines
fluoxetine
amoxapine

People with tardive dyskinesia normally experience other forms of shaking and unusual movements, not just shaking limited to the legs.

Treating tardive dyskinesia can be challenging. The symptoms of tardive dyskinesia may continue even after stopping the medication that is causing it. Clonazepam, which is a benzodiazepine, may help to ease symptoms.

Anxiety

Anxiety can temporarily cause a person to experience a tremor, as the body enters a fight-or-flight state. The shaking usually disappears when the anxiety does. However, some people with chronic anxiety may develop tremors that cause chronic bouts of shaking.

Treatment should focus on easing the anxiety, not the tremor, since the anxiety is the cause of the tremor. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, medication, therapy, and exercise may help.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant drugs can speed up activity in the nervous system. These include prescription medications such as Adderall and Ritalin, as well as illegal drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine.

Use of these drugs may cause shaking or tremors in the legs, hands, or feet. In most cases, symptoms disappear when a person stops using the drug.

A 2014 article, however, suggests that some drugs may cause permanent shaking and tremors.

Treatment begins with stopping the drug. If tremors persist, a doctor may recommend medication or physical therapy.

Alcohol

Those experiencing withdrawal from alcohol misuse may experience tremors.

Sometimes, the damage will be permanent, such as when alcohol damages the nerves. In other cases, especially when a person is going through alcohol withdrawal, the symptoms are temporary.

Chronic damage due to alcohol use disorder can result in a type of tremor called cerebellar tremor. This is a slow and large tremor affecting the arms, legs, hands, or feet. The tremor worsens after a purposeful movement, such as pushing a button.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can cause unusual tingling sensations or pain in the hands and feet. Sometimes, neuropathy extends to the arms or legs, and it may cause shaking or other unusual movements.

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy, especially in people with uncontrolled blood glucose. A number of medications may help, and some people may also find relief from massage and other complementary therapies.

The most important treatment for neuropathy is diagnosing and treating the underlying cause. For people with diabetes, neuropathy may be a sign that their current treatment is not working.

Functional neurological disorder (FND)

FND is a condition characterized by neurological symptoms that are not explained by changes in the brain’s structure. Instead, the symptoms develop due to changes in how the brain networks work.

Symptoms include:

leg shaking
seizure-like episodes
problems with movement
dizziness
speech difficulties
problems with hearing or vision
slowness and fatigue
numbness or inability to sense touch

There are different types of FND, with the two most common being functional movement disorder and functional or dissociative seizures.

Healthcare professionals do not know the exact cause of FND.

Treatment includes physical therapy and psychotherapy. Medications can also help to alleviate some symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid is a gland that controls metabolism, activity level, and other key bodily functions. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid is too active.

An overactive thyroid causes some body processes to speed up. In many cases, an underlying medical condition such as Graves’ disease causes hyperthyroidism.

People with hyperthyroidism may experience muscle spasms, shaking legs or arms, anxiety, restlessness, and unexplained weight loss.

A number of medications, such as beta-blockers and antithyroid medications, may help with the symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a condition of the nervous system that affects the brain and nerves. It causes shaking and other uncontrolled movements, and it typically worsens over time.

Many health professionals believe that Parkinson’s disease causes tremors due to a lack of dopamine, which plays a role in regulating the movement of the body.

Tremor is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, people with Parkinson’s may develop specific patterns of tremors or shaking, usually in the arms and hands. However, it may also affect the legs.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, and the condition tends to get worse with time. However, medication can slow the progression of the condition and restore some mobility.

When to contact a doctor

In most cases, a shaking leg is not the result of a serious medical condition. It might instead be due to something such as caffeine withdrawal.

However, if there is no clear cause, if self-care strategies do not work, or if the shaking is getting worse, it is best to contact a doctor.

It is especially important to see a doctor if a person experiences other symptoms, including:

changes in memory or mood
uncontrolled movements
mobility problems
anxiety or restlessness
trouble sleeping
wounds on the feet or hands, or other symptoms of unmanaged diabetes

Summary

There are many causes of shaky legs. Tremors can develop on their own or as a result of an underlying health condition.

In many cases, the underlying condition is not serious. However, leg shaking can be a symptom of some very serious medical conditions if accompanied by other symptoms. These include Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, and anxiety.

Delaying treatment allows the problem to get worse. Though shaking legs is not a medical emergency, seeking and receiving prompt medical care can help alleviate this symptom.

Multiple Sclerosis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Alzheimer's / Dementia
Anxiety / Stress

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Agarwi S, et al. (2023). Essential tremor. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499986/
Deik A, et al. (2014). Substances of abuse and movement disorders: complex interactions and comorbidities. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3966544/
Functional neurologic disorder. (2024). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurologic-disorder#toc-who-is-more-likely-to-get-functional-neurologic-disorder-
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). (2021). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hyperthyroidism
O'Malley GF, et al. (2022). Alcohol toxicity and withdrawal. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/illicit-drugs-and-intoxicants/alcohol-toxicity-and-withdrawal
Parkinson's disease. (2022). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/
Peripheral neuropathy. (2024). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy
Primary orthostatic tremor. (2025). https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/8563/primary-orthostatic-tremor
Restless legs syndrome. (2022). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/
Tremor. (2025). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/tremor
Vasan S, et al. (2023). Tardive dyskinesia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448207/

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Medically reviewed by Kelsey Nank, PA-C — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on May 21, 2025

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