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Signs of Growing Pains

Although it has nothing to do with growing bones, growing pains affect up to 40 percent of children, often striking in the middle of the night without any warning, the Cleveland Clinic notes. The condition affects telltale areas of the body, causing mild to severe pain that may last for hours. Understanding what may trigger the condition and how to recognize the symptoms will help you better treat and potentially prevent the condition in your child.

  1. Signs and Symptoms

    • Growing pains are most common in children 3 to 5 and 8 to 12. In two thirds of growing pain cases in children, pain originates in the shins, calves, knees or thighs, according to Yosef Uziel and Philip J. Hashkes in an April 2007 issue of "Pediatric Rheumatology." The pain is commonly felt along the front of the thighs, in the calves or behind the knees on both sides of the body, and the muscles may feel hard and in spasm. Some children may also experience abdominal pain or a headache. The pain usually occurs in the late afternoon or early evening, and may even awaken a child in the middle of the night from his or her sleep. By morning, the pain is gone and there are no signs of muscle stiffness.

    Duration and Frequency of Symptoms

    • If your child experiences growing pains, the pain may last from 10 to 30 minutes. However, pain may also last hours or come and go intermittently over a period of months. According to a review of scientific studies on growing pains by Angela M. Evans in the July 2008 issue of the "Journal of Foot and Ankle Research," most children experience growing pains over a period of one to three months. In some cases, the pain may occur weekly or, in severe cases, daily. Of 44 children studied by Uziel and Hashke, 43 percent reported growing pains at least once a week.

    Causes

    • While doctors are not sure what causes growing pains, the condition is linked to an increase in a child's activity during the day. Medical experts believe the jumping, running and climbing that children tend to do during the day may trigger the condition. Other theories suggest growing pains occur in children that are very flexible, have flat feet or have a lower pain threshold or bone strength than children without growing pains. Experts also believe children with a family history of growing pains are more prone to developing the condition. According to Evans, 70 percent of cases of growing pains involve children who had either a parent or sibling who had growing pains.

    Treatment

    • Gently massaging or rubbing your child's painful muscle may help alleviate discomfort. Soothe sore muscles by applying a heating pad on the affected area at the first sign of pain. Alternatively, try giving your child a warm bath before bedtime, the MayoClinic.com advises. Ensure your child stretches the quadricep, hamstring and calf muscles to avoid muscle stiffness and consult your child's doctor about administering ibuprofen or acetaminophen medication for the pain.

    Warning

    • If your child's leg pain persists during the day or worsens, interferes with your child's daily activities, or if your child has pain in a certain joint, has trouble moving, is limping or has a fever, redness, swelling, a rash or loss of appetite with the pain, contact a doctor immediately.

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