Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), is a 
common movement disorder characterised by an uncontrollable urge to move because 
of uncomfortable, sometimes painful sensations in the legs with a diurnal 
variation and a release with movement. The pathophysiology is only partially 
known and a genetic component together with dopaminergic and brain iron 
dysregulation plays an important role. Secondary causes for RLS need to be 
excluded. Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of RLS symptoms, 
comprises non-pharmacological (eg lifestyle changes) and pharmacological 
interventions (eg dopaminergic medication, alpha-2-delta calcium channel 
ligands, opioids) and relieves symptoms only. Augmentation is the main 
complication of long-term dopaminergic treatment of RLS. This article will 
provide a clinically useful overview of RLS with provision of diagnostic 
criteria, differential diagnoses, possible investigations and different 
treatment strategies with their associated complications.