Growing Pains: How to Recognise Them in Your Kids, and What to Do
Are achy legs keeping your child awake at night? They may have growing pains.
If your little one is complaining of sore legs before bedtime, or if they have they been waking up in pain during the night – and you’re unaware of any injuries or don’t notice any accompanying symptoms – they may be experiencing what’s known as growing pains.
What exactly are growing pains?
Growing pains are defined as soreness, such as pain or cramps, in a child’s legs – typically their shins and lower calves – that occur in the late afternoon, early evening or at night. These pains are often noted after the child has had a particularly active day, which could lead to muscle overuse.
Growing pains typically start when a child is quite young – from about 3-4 years old, up to 8-10 years old or during the early stages of primary school, says Johannesburg-based orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dina Simmons who is president of the South African Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (SAPOS).
Dr Simmons says growing pains are common in this age group, and that the symptoms are typically fairly mild and manageable. She says that the discomfort can be felt to differing extents but very rarely needs any treatment. She says that, medically speaking, there is no clear definition on prevention or cure of growing pains.
“The cause of growing pains is never quite clear. There are some theories around the overuse of muscles, which is likely, but it is probably not related to growth at all… The idea was likely formed due to ‘growing pains’ presenting in childhood,” she explains.
What are the signs and symptoms?
“Growing pains seem to present like a cramp. The affected areas will look normal, with no clinical signs like redness or swelling,” says Dr Simmons. “It can affect one or both legs, and the discomfort will often switch between the two. It can occur 3-4 times per week for several weeks at a time, and can stop and restart again. It’s important to note that growing pains do not affect the child the next day, and that blood tests done would come back normal.”
Can growing pains be treated or managed?
Treatments for growing pains have not been proven, says Dr Simmons, noting that there are claims that replacing electrolytes may help. Another claim is that feeding a child tomatoes before bedtime may help due to the potassium and sodium intake, but this has also not been proven.
What does help, she says, is running a warm bath for your little one, adding magnesium or Epsom salts to the bathtub and allowing your child to soak in it to ease muscle pain. “They may also respond positively when an ice pack or a heat pad is applied to the area,” she adds, suggesting that you chat to your pharmacist about age-appropriate pain medication and anti-inflammatories that could be given to your child to assist with pain management.
You could also treat the affected areas topically using arnica oil and then gently rubbing the muscles to reduce pain and discomfort.
Is it necessary to see a paediatrician?
While growing pains are normally not a cause for concern, you should have your child assessed if you’re feeling anxious, or if you experience any of these additional symptoms, says Dr Simmons:
• Very localised pain (occurring in one particular spot)
• Pain that is persistent (in the day, too) or worsens over the course of a week
• Signs of swelling or deformity
• Redness on and around the area
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