What Causes Leg Twitching? Symptoms And Treatment

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What to know about leg twitching

Medically reviewed by Harshil Matta, DO — Written by Danielle Dresden — Updated on January 30, 2024

Types
What it feels like
Common causes
Other causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Seeing a doctor
Summary

Leg twitching is a sudden contraction or release of a muscle. Leg twitching when trying to relax can sometimes be a sign of a health condition, such as restless leg syndrome.

When signal misfires occur, the muscles can move involuntarily, which people usually refer to as a twitch. Twitching is the result of the sudden contraction or release of a muscle. Doctors may use the term “myoclonus” to describe these fast, involuntary twitches.

In this article, we outline the types of muscle twitches that may occur in the legs and how they might feel. We also list some possible causes of leg twitches, along with information on how doctors diagnose and treat them.

Types

a man holding the back of his leg because he is experiencing twitching there — A person may experience other symptoms alongside leg twitching, depending on its cause.

There are two basic types of sudden muscle twitching: physiologic myoclonus and pathologic myoclonus.

Physiologic myoclonus

Physiologic myoclonus can affect people with a good health status, and it usually does not require treatment. Examples of physiologic myoclonus include:

hiccuping
leg twitching when falling asleep
physiologic startle responses

Pathologic myoclonus

Pathologic myoclonus refers to myoclonus that is either a symptom of an underlying medical condition or a reaction to a particular medication.

Pathologic myoclonus can involve persistent muscle contractions that may affect an entire group of muscles or muscles in different parts of the body. Severe cases may affect a person’s movement and mobility.

What it feels like

A person who develops a twitch in their leg usually notices when it is happening. The twitches may be irritating, but they are not usually painful.

However, muscle twitches in the legs can sometimes trigger muscle cramps. Cramps are very common, affecting roughly 60% of adults from time to time.

Depending on the cause of the leg twitching, a person may experience additional symptoms, such as:

tingling
itching
burning
throbbing
crawling or fizzing sensations
muscle spasms in the affected area
a feeling similar to a shudder rippling through the body

Common causes

It is very common for people to experience occasional bouts of leg twitching. We outline two common causes of leg twitching below.

Benign fasciculations

The medical term for repetitive involuntary muscle twitching is benign fasciculation. It affects about 70% of the general population and is rarely associated with serious nervous system disorders.

Some possible causes of benign fasciculations in generally healthy people include:

stress or anxiety
physical exhaustion and lack of sleep
overconsumption of alcohol, or alcohol withdrawal
overconsumption of caffeine, or caffeine withdrawal
low blood sugar
dehydration
nutrient imbalance
hormone imbalance
use of certain medications

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which a person experiences uncomfortable sensations in their legs. An irresistible urge to move the legs often accompanies the sensations.

About 80% of people who have RLS also experience leg twitching while they sleep. The medical term for this is periodic limb movements of sleep.

Restless leg syndrome is common, affecting up to 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives.

Less common causes

In most cases, leg twitching is due to a common and relatively benign cause.

However, persistent or frequent leg twitching can sometimes signal an underlying nervous system disorder, such as:

Alzheimer’s disease
Lewy body dementia
epilepsy
Huntington’s disease
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Diagnosis

A doctor will typically diagnose the cause of leg twitching by:

taking a complete medical history
gathering specific information about the twitching, such as:
- where it happens and how long it lasts
- whether it affects other parts of the body
- when it happens
looking for signs of toxicity due to:
- medication use
- illicit drug use
- environmental hazards

In some cases, a doctor may order one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

Electromyography (EMG): A test that records electrical activity in the skeletal muscles. Doctors use EMG to assess the condition of the muscles and the nerves that innervate them.
Electroencephalogram: A test that detects and records electrical activity in the brain.
MRI scan: A medical imaging test that allows the doctor to view nerves and other soft tissues inside the body. It can also help them detect lesions that may be the cause of involuntary twitching.
Blood tests: Certain blood tests could help identify underlying medical conditions that may be responsible for the symptoms.

Treatment

People who experience occasional leg twitching may be able to manage the condition by making certain lifestyle changes. Examples include:

staying well-hydrated
eating a healthful, balanced diet
cutting down on stimulants, such as caffeine and alcohol
quitting smoking, if applicable
exercising regularly
stretching and massaging the legs gently
getting plenty of rest

People who suspect that their leg twitching is due to a medication should not stop taking it unless their doctor advises them to do so.

If leg twitching is due to an underlying medical condition, treating the condition should help reduce the frequency of the twitching, its severity, or both.

When to see a doctor

Most of the time, leg twitching is a response to specific circumstances, such as exhaustion, dehydration, or the use of stimulants, such as caffeine or alcohol.

However, twitching can also be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. People should see a doctor if the:

leg twitches do not get better following appropriate lifestyle changes
leg twitches persist for more than 2 weeks
twitching starts when the person is resting
twitching begins after the person starts taking a new medication
twitching affects more than one part of the body
twitching occurs alongside any of the following symptoms:
- fever
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness

Summary

Leg twitching is a common symptom that is most often due to lifestyle factors, such as overexertion, dehydration, or overuse of stimulants. It usually gets better following appropriate lifestyle changes.

However, twitching can sometimes be a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition, such as a nervous system disorder. A person should see a doctor if their leg twitching persists, worsens, or occurs alongside other worrying symptoms.

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Anxiety / Stress
Neurology / Neuroscience
Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia

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.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). (n.d.). https://www.mda.org/disease/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/signs-and-symptoms
Egido, J. A., & Garcia, A. M. (2014). The twitching leg. https://www.bjmp.org/content/twitching-leg
Filippakis, A., et al. (2017). A prospective study of benign fasciculation syndrome (S45.007) [Abstract]. https://n.neurology.org/content/88/16_Supplement/S45.007
Functional jerks and twitches (functional myoclonus). (n.d.). https://www.neurosymptoms.org/functional-jerks-and-twitches/4594358010
Involuntary movements and tremor diagnosis. (n.d.). https://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/the25/im.html
Muscle cramps & spasms. (n.d.). https://muschealth.org/medical-services/geriatrics-and-aging/healthy-aging/cramps-and-spasms
Myoclonus fact sheet. (2017). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Myoclonus-Fact-Sheet
Myoclonus. (n.d.). https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/neurology/parkinsons-and-movement-disorders/conditions/myoclonus
Rajneesh, K. (2019). Why do my muscles twitch? https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/muscle-twitching
Restless legs syndrome. (2020). https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/brain-nerves-and-spinal-cord/restless-legs-syndrome
Singh, N., et al. (2018). Clinical mimickers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — conditions we cannot afford to miss. http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2018;volume=21;issue=3;spage=173;epage=178;aulast=Singh
Twitching eyes and muscles. (2018). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/twitching-eyes-and-muscles/

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Medically reviewed by Harshil Matta, DO — Written by Danielle Dresden — Updated on January 30, 2024

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