Growing pains

Signs and symptoms

Growing pains:

• Appear in children aged 3-14 years of age, or, less commonly, in the later teen years;
• Usually affect the legs, particularly the thighs, calves and the backs of the knees, although they can appear in the arms, shoulders and back as well;
• Affect both legs - the pain does not appear only in one leg at a time;
• Are most common in the evening and at night, and are usually gone by morning;
• Are more common after a particularly active day;
• Do not cause limping or walking difficulties, and;
• Are not caused or accompanied by inflammation, swelling, stiffness, fever or other symptoms.

For most children, growing pains will only come once every few days, weeks or even months. A small minority of children experience growing pains nightly.

Although growing pains can sometimes be severe, and at times alarming for children and parents, they do not cause any permanent damage, and usually do not interfere with a child's normal activities.

Methods for diagnosis

Your doctor will diagnose growing pains by excluding other possible causes of limb pain, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, sprains and fractures.

Types of treatment

There is no cure for growing pains - they eventually go away by themselves. Leg massages and applying warmth can provide some relief from the aching. Comfort and reassure your child if they are feeling anxious or frightened.

Pain-relief medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used. In severe cases, your doctor may suggest using stronger pain-relief medications. Calcium or vitamin D supplements have not been shown to relieve growing pains.

There is some evidence that physical therapy can help with growing pains, if followed regularly. Another option is to try the use of shoe inserts.

Growing pains are more common in the evening and usually disappear by morning. 

Prognosis

Growing pains usually go away on their own after a period of a few months to 1-2 years.