ABSTRACT

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) was first described in the medical literature by Willis (1) in classical Latin over 300 years ago. His account of an RLS case was included in the posthumous publication of an English translation of his works (2) and aptly details the basic clinical features of the disease (Fig. 1). Despite this early recognition, the illness received little attention and was regarded a psychiatric disorder (3) until the seminal work by Ekbom (4) reviewing 127 cases and providing 53 case reports. Ekbom struggled to name the condition, and after trying ‘‘irritable legs,’’ he settled on the term ‘‘restless legs,’’ which is now the accepted term for this condition.WhileWillis emphasized the observed movements, Ekbom emphasized the peculiar sensations accompanying these movements. Both describe a condition brought on by rest, not occurring during movement, and worse at night.