Spinal myoclonus following spinal anaesthesia in a patient with restless legs syndrome

Myoclonus is defined as involuntary muscle contractions that are self-limiting. The presentation can be diverse, and severe movements may cause significant alarm to both patient and practitioner, with the potential for inappropriate management. Although rare, myoclonus has been associated with intrathecal anaesthetics; however, the exact aetiology remains unclear. In this report, we present a case of delayed spinal myoclonus following the administration of intrathecal bupivacaine to a patient with a known history of restless legs syndrome. The aim of this report is to increase awareness of this rare complication and to contribute to the current body of literature in order that the pathophysiology and potential risk factors may be better understood.