Answers to common questions about growing pains
“Growing pains” are a colloquial term for pain and soreness in the legs that occurs in children at night. Here, Dr. Eric Ball, a CHOC pediatrician, answers some frequently asked questions about this common childhood experience.
Are growing pains real?
The pain is absolutely real, but contrary to its name, they are not related to growing, Dr. Ball says.
While doctors don’t know for certain what causes growing pains, pain is not worse during a child’s growth spurts and the pain is not around the growth areas of bones.
So, “growing” pains might just be aches from the jumping, climbing and running that kids do during the day. Often, a child’s growing pains happen after a very active day.
What are the signs and symptoms of growing pains?
Growing pains usually start when kids are 3 to 12 years old.
Most children with growing pains have pain in their thighs, calves, shins, or behind the knees, Dr. Ball says. The pain usually is in both legs and does not involve the joints. Occasionally, kids may have pain in their arms along with leg pain, but they do not have pain only in the arms.
Growing pains often strike in late afternoon or early evening before bed but pain can sometimes wake a sleeping child.
Most kids are pain-free and active as usual during the day. Growing pains may last for months or years, but they don’t happen every day. There might be days, weeks or months between pain episodes.
How are growing pains diagnosed?
There is no medical test for growing pains. Instead, pediatricians diagnose them based on a child’s symptoms. It’s likely growing pains if a child:
- is healthy and has leg pain at night that gets better with massage, heat and over-the-counter pain medicine;
- is active and has no pain during the day; and
- has a normal physical exam.
If symptoms do not fit this pattern, a pediatrician may order blood tests and X-rays to look for another cause.
How are growing pains treated?
To help ease growing pains, your child can:
- massage the area;
- stretch;
- use a heating pad; or
- take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
When should I call the doctor about growing pains?
Call your doctor if your child has:
- pain that doesn’t get better with massage, heat, and pain medicine;
- pain during the day;
- swelling, redness, or joint pain;
- pain due to an injury;
- a fever or other signs of illness, like poor appetite or weight loss; or
- a limp.
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