Severe Joint Pain in Children

Children often go through periods of feeling joint pain. This can occur as a result of growing pains that occur between the ages of 5 and 8 years, when bones are lengthening and joints are adjusting to the new body structure of the child. However, there are also serious medical conditions that may result in chronic severe joint pain in children that should be considered, particularly juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever or Lyme disease.

• Joint pain might be related to growing pains.

Growing Pains

• According MedicineNet, it is not at all unusual for children to be awakened by severe joint pain that occurs as a result of the long bones of the arms and legs lengthening and the joints adjusting to the new skeletal structure of the body. Often children will complain that their joints hurt and that they are in pain. Additionally, they may complain of not sleeping well or having bad dreams as a result of the pain at night.

Strained Joints

• According to Deborah Pat of ChiroWeb another reason for severe joint pain in children is over-straining of joints, particularly in children who are active in sports. Frequently, joints in arms and legs will be overstressed and the result is severe joint pain. Children who overuse or strain their joints can remain on the edge of permanent problems by going through periods of extreme use and then periods of relative inactivity. Treatment for strained joints often includes the recommendation to rest the joints in order to avoid permanent damage.

Chondromalacia Patella

• Chondromalacia patella is a common condition of young girls who feel knee joint pain after long periods of sitting or stair climbing. It is the result of the knee cap (the patella) ligament being strained. Usually this condition will resolve itself as the child ages and the ligament comes into alignment. Also, with the reduction of physical activity, often the condition rectifies itself and the pain is reduced.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a severe joint pain condition that is quite serious, although it is often missed early in the treatment of joint complaints in children. MedicineNet indicates that the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis often come and go, with good days and bad days. Symptoms include inflammation and swelling of joints of the hands, feet, knees and elbows. Stiffness frequently accompanies these symptoms. Unfortunately, children experiencing these symptoms are often dismissed as imagining these symptoms and suffer for many months before being diagnosed. The good news is that juvenile rheumatoid arthritis often resolves as a child grows older without any long-term disability.

Neoplastic Disorders

• Thomas Lehman, MD of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, suggests that one consideration that should be given to children complaining of severe joint pain is the possibility of leukemia or other types of cancer that affect joints and bones. While these conditions are not extremely common, one of the symptoms can be joint and bone pain. Since children are often poor historians, if all other potential problems have been ruled out, consideration should be given to the possibility of a more serious condition and appropriate testing should be undertaken.