Restless legs syndrome (RLS), recently renamed Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), is a 
common movement disorder. It is characterised by the need to move mainly the 
legs due to uncomfortable, sometimes painful sensations in the legs, which have 
a diurnal variation and a release with movement. Management is complex. First, 
centres should establish the severity of RLS using a simple 10-item RLS severity 
rating scale (IRLS). They should also exclude secondary causes, in particular 
ensuring normal iron levels. Mild cases can be managed by lifestyle changes, but 
patients with a IRLS score above 15 usually require pharmacological treatment. 
Dopaminergic therapies remain the mainstay of medical therapies, with recent 
evidence suggesting opioids may be particularly effective. This article focuses 
on the different treatment strategies in RLS, their associated complications and 
ways to manage them.