How to Treat Pain in the Back of Leg in Adolescents

Pain that strikes your child in the back of the leg can result from an injury or a common condition known as growing pains. Growing pains are typical during the ages of three and five, and may reoccur when a child is between eight and 12. This type of pain results from rapid growth, and pain can develop in the front of the thighs and in the back of the legs. Although you can't prevent pain in your child's legs, there are ways to alleviate discomfort.

Things You'll Need

• Pain medication
• Heating pad

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Instructions

• 1

  Administer pain medication to help alleviate discomfort. Give your child a dose of ibuprofen to help stop inflammation and treat pain in the back of the legs. Acetaminophen is an alternative medication for adolescents. Use as instructed.

• 2

  Gently massage your child's legs. Help reduce cramping and pain in the legs with a slow, gentle hand massage.

• 3

  Reduce soreness with a heating pad or hot water bottle. Select a temperature that's comfortable for your child, and then place the heating pad or water bottle on the back of their legs to help relieve inflammation and pain.

• 4

  Sit them in a warm bath. Run a bath of warm water and place the child inside to help relax tight muscles and reduce pain in the back of the legs.

• 5

  See a doctor. If unable to resolve pain at home, schedule a doctor's appointment to rule out other serious causes of ongoing pain in the legs such as infections, juvenile arthritis and tumors.