Overview
Growing pains are described as an ache or throb in the legs, typically occurring at night and affecting both legs. The pain is often felt in the front of the thighs, calves, or behind the knees. Growing pains do not have a direct link to growth or any specific growth-related factors. There is no evidence that growth is painful. The exact cause of growing pains remains unknown, but it is thought that muscle overuse during the day and a lowered pain threshold might contribute to the issue. There is no specific treatment for growing pains, but applying a warm heating pad and massaging the sore muscles can provide some relief. If you have concerns about your child's leg pain or if the pain is severe, consult your child's healthcare provider.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of growing pains include an aching or throbbing feeling in the legs, usually in the front of the thighs, the calves, or behind the knees. The pain usually affects both legs and occurs at night, sometimes waking the child from sleep. Growing pains may also be accompanied by abdominal pain or headaches during episodes. However, it's important to note that growing pains aren't caused by growth itself and the exact cause remains unknown.
Risk Factors
Growing pains are common in preschool and school-age children and may be slightly more common in girls than in boys. Running, climbing, or jumping during the day might increase the risk of leg pain at night.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Triage
You should consult your child's healthcare provider if you're concerned about their leg pain or if the pain is accompanied by any of the following:
- Appeared for no apparent reason
- Continue to enlarge or have been present for two to four weeks
- Feel hard or rubbery, or don't move when you push on them
- Accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss It's essential to seek medical advice if the growing pains are causing significant discomfort or affecting your child's daily activities. Remember, growing pains are usually not related to growth itself, and their exact cause remains unknown.
Management and Treatment
Treatment
No specific treatment is available for growing pains. However, you can help alleviate the discomfort by doing the following:
- Warm Compress: Apply a warm heating pad on the affected muscles and massage them gently. This can help relax the muscles and provide relief from the pain.
- Rest: Encourage your child to rest and avoid any strenuous activities that could exacerbate the pain.
- Pain Reliever: You can give your child a mild pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as recommended by their healthcare provider, to help manage the pain.
- Stretching: Encourage your child to engage in gentle stretching exercises to help alleviate muscle tension.
- Regular Schedule: Maintain a consistent daily routine, including regular bedtimes and wake-up times, as this may help reduce the frequency and severity of growing pains. If the pain persists, is severe, or associated with other symptoms, consult your child's healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.