Periodic limb movement disorder F089

Current RMA Instruments

Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding

ICD-10-AM Codes: G47.61

Brief description

This is a sleep disorder which manifests with limb movement whilst asleep.  This is not the same as restless legs syndrome, which has a separate RMA statement of principles. Both conditions cause limb movement, but the periodic limb movement disorder occurs during sleep with the restless legs syndrome occurring when both awake and asleep.

Confirming the diagnosis

This diagnosis requires a clinical history of sleep disturbance and daytime impairment, plus confirmation by polysomnography (sleep studies) showing the required pattern of jerking limb movements during sleep.  It is a diagnosis of exclusion.

The relevant medical specialist is a sleep physician.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP

• Nocturnal myoclonus

Conditions excluded from SOP

• Restless legs syndrome*
• Sleep apnoea*
• Narcolepsy

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Clinical onset will be at the time of confirmation of the diagnosis.

Clinical worsening

Establishing that a clinical worsening beyond the normal for this condition has occurred, would require specialist medical opinion and further sleep studies.