Growing Pain in legs: Sign, Cause & Treatment

What is growing pain?

• Growing pain is an ache / throbbing pain in legs, mainly in the front of the thigh, calf, or behind the knees.
• It tends to affect both legs.
• Pain usually came in evening and some time it wake up the child in middle of night.
• Most common in 3-4 years of age. But may reappear in 8-12 years of age.

Sign & Symptoms of Growing Pain :

• Pain in the leg, especially in the thigh, calf & behind the knee.
• No swelling or redness.
• Every children don’t have similar presentation.
• Some child may have severe pain and others have only very mild discomfort.
• Usually comes in midnight and late evening but disappear by morning.
• These pain don’t interfere with playing sports.
• This pain came and went off and on.
• But it may disturb sleep of child & yours.
• It may persist for months to years.

How to diagnose :

• Diagnosis of growing pain can be made by taking a detailed history of the child.
• A doctor can examine child thoroughly for any other cause of pain.
• If he does not find any objective finding like swelling, tenderness, restriction of joint movement then by the history, he will make diagnosis of growing pain.
• In most cases doesn’t need any investigation.
• If we are in doubt, then we do an x-ray or blood investigation.
• So if your child have pain in leg then don’t wait and consult your doctor for same.

Risk factor :

• Growing pains are common in preschool and school-age children.
• Slightly more common in girls than in boys.
• Running, climbing, or jumping during day might increase the risk of leg pain at night.
• Decrease intake of liquid & salt may also cause leg pain but it is not proven.

Home care by the doctor for growing pains :

• Gentle massage with oil gives good relief to the child.
• Heat application & warm bath before bedtime also helps in relieving the pain. Heating pad should be left in touch with skin of child. It may cause burn.
• Pain killer should be avoided if possible.
• Stretching exercise in the daytime may prevent pain at night.
• Parents are advised to increase liquid intake to the child.
• If this measure don’t work then parent should consult doctor for detail evaluation.

When to get an appointment with Doctor :

If your child get this symptom then you need to consult paediatrician or pediatric Orthopedic surgeon

Red flag sign:

• Persistent pain in the morning
• Pain interfere with the child’s activities,
• Pain, redness & swelling in the joint,
• History of trauma,
• Symptoms like swelling, pain, tenderness, Rashes
• Fever, limping, weakness,
• Loss of appetite, weight Loss
• Tiredness

What are the Treatment :

• There is no specific treatment for growing pains.
• They don’t affect growth & became less painful with time.
• Oil massage, stretching exercise, vitamin D & calcium supplement is being advised to parents for same.
• Rest is assured to parents regarding the good outcomes in most of the cases.