Jen,
This is from the 2004 RLS Foundation Medical Bulletin (
http://www.rls.org/pdf/2004_medical_bulletin.pdf) It's worth reading the whole thing:
Features of RLS
A. Essential criteria: These primary features must be present for a diagnosis of RLS.
1. An urge to move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs (Sometimes the urge to
move is present without the uncomfortable sensations and sometimes the arms or other body parts are involved in addition to the legs.)
2. The urge to move or unpleasant sensations begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity such as lying or sitting.
3. The urge to move or unpleasant sensations are partially or totally
relieved by movement, such as walking or stretching, at least as long as the activity continues.
4. The urge to move or unpleasant sensations are worse in the evening
or night than during the day or only occur in the evening or night. (When the symptoms are very severe, the worsening at night may not be noticeable, but must have been previously present.)
B. Supportive clinical features of RLS:
Presence of these features may help resolve any diagnostic uncertainty.
1. Periodic limb movements (during wakefulness or sleep)
2. Family history of RLS
3. Response to dopaminergic therapy
C. Associated clinical features: These features may provide additional
information about the patient’s diagnosis:
1. Natural clinical course following certain identifiable patterns
2. Sleep disturbance
3. Normal medical evaluation/physical examination
I'm not convinced you've got RLS by what you're describing, but I'm only relating it to my experience with knee surgery - I could very well be wrong! Regardless, you're not sleeping, which means life sucks. I had great success with a low dose of lorazepam for a sleep aid.
On the knee related subject, do you sleep with a pillow between your knees? I've found that's the only comfortable position for me. I've also found that major surgery, such as yours, takes several months to recover from. Wishing you patience and a good, understanding doctor,
Heron