A doctor can usually diagnose growing pains by examining your child and asking questions about their medical history and symptoms. Call your child's doctor or nurse if leg pain occurs with the following symptoms. 1 doctor answer. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. What causes growing pains? Growing pains: Practitioners' dilemma. All rights reserved. Usually both legs hurt. One study found that children with these pains have less bone strength than the normal population. Doctors don't know why children have growing pains. Growing pains aren't a disease. After growing pains start, a child may have them off and on for 1 or 2 years. Dr. Florence Nwofor answered. What causes growing pains? Sometimes teens have growing pains. It is often mistakenly thought that the pain is caused by the growth of bones. 20th ed. Bone growth hasn't been proved to cause pain. Aspirin use in children has been linked to a life-threatening disease called Reye's syndrome. Some children with these pains have a low pain threshold and may also have headaches and abdominal pain. People used to believe that growing pains flared up when a child’s bones grew at a faster rate than his tendons. You can make your child more comfortable by putting a warm heating pad on the sore muscles and massaging them. Although growing pains often strike in late afternoon or early evening before bed, pain can sometimes wake a sleeping child. They're also more common in children with flexible joints (double jointed). What Are Growing Pains? Sever’s disease is a common heel injury in adolescents. Journal of Pediatrics. Growing pains. Long, S.S., editor, Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 3rd edition, Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2008. Despite the name, growth does not cause growing pains. The exact cause of the growing pain is unknown. It's been suggested that growing pains may be linked to restless legs syndrome. Causes of Growing Pains Despite the name "growing pains," there is no firm evidence that growing pains are linked to growth spurts. Junnila, J.L. 2010;156:838. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. There’s also little evidence to link “growing” pains with actual growth spurts. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Despite the name "growing pains," there is no firm evidence that growing pains are linked to growth spurts. Sometimes they happen more often if: Maybe you are really tired because you've been doing lots of sport or running. The good news is this type of cancer is easily treated with radiation and chemo and the prognosis is good as long as the cancer is confined to the bone. They may have growing pains. Orthopedic injuries and growing pains. 5th ed. Growing pains don't usually happen where growth is occurring or during times of rapid growth. Usually they happen when kids are between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12. Many children with these pains are very flexible (hypermobile) with flat feet. Be careful not to burn the. in the evening or night-time (and goes away by morning) Growing pains are more common in active children and can come on after playing a lot of sports. After growing pains start, a child may have them off and on for 1 or 2 years. Overuse from activities such as running, climbing and jumping can be hard on a child's musculoskeletal system. Doctors can usually diagnose growing pains without having to order any tests. Kliegman RM, et al. But muscle pain at night from overuse during the day is thought to be the most likely cause of growing pains. Growing pains usually start in early childhood, around age 3 or 4. The cause of growing pains is unclear. RELATED: Charting Your Baby's Growth Spurts During Their First Year. It is important to rule out any other possible causes of the pain before making the diagnosis of growing pains. They tend to strike again in kids aged 8-12. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Growing pains are cramping, achy muscle pains that some preschoolers and preteens feel in both legs. The cause of growing pains is unknown. Growing pains aren't a disease. They do not seem to be caused by growing, so 'growing pains' is not an accurate term. Running, climbing or jumping during the day might increase the risk of leg pain at night. The pain is usually: an aching or throbbing in both legs. These pains usually make your child’s legs hurt. Severe enough to interfere with your child's normal activities, Accompanied by other signs or symptoms, such as swelling, redness, tenderness, fever, limping, rash, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue. The pain doesn't occur every day. Accessed Aug. 3, 2016. Growing pains are common in preschool and school-age children. Growing pains aren't a disease. Uziel Y, et al. They are common in children between 3 and 12 years old and are typically not serious. Growing pains usually cause an aching or throbbing feeling in the legs. What causes growing pains. Doctors don't believe that growing actually causes pain, but growing pains stop when kids stop growing. If your child has growing pains, the doctor will not see anything abnormal during the physical exam. Consult your child's doctor if you're concerned about your child's leg pain or the pain is: The cause of growing pains is unknown. Growing pains seem to be more common after a kid has a particularly full day of sports. Growing pains are more common in active children. But they can hurt. Maybe you have flat feet or knock knees. The pains can persist for a couple of weeks before disappearing altogether. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Ask about the appropriate dose for your child. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. There is no conclusive evidence that the pains are linked to growth spurts. Lehman TJA. Overuse from activities such as running, climbing and jumping can be hard on a child's musculoskeletal system. Growing pains are often described as an ache or throb in the legs — often in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Never give aspirin to a child. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2014. Some children have growing pains on and off for many years, but usually they go by mid-adolescence. Growing pains usually occur in both legs, in the calves, front of thighs, and behind the knees. Experiences of Others "Growing pains" in adults can be unsettling. What Are Growing Pains? The leg pains may hurt so much that they may wake your child from sleep. But they can hurt. When the affected bones are palpated, they are most sensitive to the touch at the middle of the bone rather than at the growing region or at the joints. Doctors don't know why children have growing pains. Doctors don't believe that growing actually causes pain, but growing pains stop when kids stop growing. Studies suggest that children who have growing pains may be more sensitive to pain. Sometimes leg pain may be caused by underlying conditions that can be treated. While the cause of … Usually they happen when kids are between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12. Treatment of growing pains depends on how much pain your child has. Psychological factor: Psychosomatic pains occur in the stomach, accompanied by anxiety induced headaches in few children. Growing pains are extremely common, but physicians still don’t know what causes them. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. 2014;51:379. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, New Year Special -  40% off – Mayo Clinic Diet Online. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Developmental Delays in Children Ages 3-5, Placing a warm cloth or heating pad on the sore leg. http://www.uptodate.com/home. These aches are probably not related to growth. Not all children have growing pains. It's also important to remember that growing pains affect muscles, not joints. Growing pains are musculoskeletal pains that affect some children. The pain or discomfort caused by what is known as growing pains may cause sleepless nights for children and worry for parents. It causes bone pain in the legs that feel like the growing pains you experienced during childhood. Growing pains can start as early as the toddler years, or they can start later in childhood. What causes growing pains? Not all children have growing pains. Growing pains may be fairly common, but the truth is that no one is quite sure why they occur. When deciding whether to call the doctor, it's important to remember that growing pains are almost always felt in both legs. Pain that is only in one leg may be a sign of a more serious condition. Blood work and X-rays are usually not needed in this case. You probably won't have to go to the doctor for them. Growing pains are different for everyone. A few theories have been suggested as potential causes, though. It comes and goes. And they do not cause limping or fever. We do not know the cause of growing pains, but there are several theories. What Are The Causes? Children who have growing pains are also more likely to have headaches and abdominal pain. At this time, no one knows what causes growing pains. It is possible the pains are due to the effect of lots of activity on muscles and bones. The prevailing theory is that the muscle cramps/spasms known as growing pains are actually linked to intense levels of activity common to childhood and subsequent over-use of the muscles, leaving them prone to cramping. Five-year outcome of children with "growing pains": Correlations with pain threshold. Are achy legs keeping your child awake at night? Growing pains aren't a disease. This causes growth pain due to “musculoskeletal fatigue”. But there's no evidence that a child's growth is painful. In: Berkowitz's Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Some kids have a lot of pain, others do not. This content does not have an English version. These are contributing factors of growing pains. Make a donation. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Growing pains tend to affect both legs and occur at night, and may even wake a child from sleep. Berkowitz CD. There’s a common misconception that there’s nothing that can be done when growing pains develop and that they’re a natural part of ageing in kids, but this isn’t the case at all. But there's no evidence that a child's growth is painful.Growing pains don't usually happen where growth is occurring or during times of rapid growth. Growing pains involve your child’s musculoskeletal system, meaning his or her muscles and bones. What are the causes of growing pains? Excess accumulation of metabolic wastes in the body contributes to fatigue-related growth pain. This is why it is important to see the doctor if you think your child has growing pains or any limb pain. When staff repeatedly is spending time dealing with short-term crises, it often is caused by a lack of long-range planning or the absence of a strategic plan. Call your health care provider if this happens. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. In general, growing pains are felt in both legs, especially in the front of the thighs, back of legs (calves), or behind the knees. All rights reserved. Cause is unknown: A common musculoskeletal complaint in pediatrics , usually occurs at night in a child with normal examination and no symptom during the day. Doctors don't believe that growing actually causes pain, but growing pains stop when kids stop growing. According to the NHS, growing pains are not actually caused by growing. Sometimes the pain can be so severe that it causes a middle-of-the-night wake up. No-one knows what causes growing pains, as nothing can be found wrong with the legs when someone is seen by a doctor. In some cases, though, your doctor may order blood tests or X-rays to help rule out other problems that may be causing your child's signs and symptoms. You probably won't have to go to the doctor for them. Specializes in Pediatrics. This overuse can come from normal childhood activity, such as … Not all types of leg pain in children are growing pains. Despite the name, no firm evidence exists that the growth of bones causes pain. Growing pains can start as early as the toddler years, or they can start later in childhood. What Are Growing Pains? This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. People commonly assume that growing pains are caused by bones stretching, but even during a growth spurt bones grow really slowly, too slowly to cause pain. Growing pains may sound like an old wives’ tale. Most kids do not have pain every day. Growing pains disappear in the morning. Growing pains may be linked to a lowered pain threshold or, in some cases, to psychological issues. Kliegman, R.M., Behrman, R.E., Jenson, H.B., Stanton, B.F., editors, Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 19th edition, Saunders Elsevier, 2010. What causes growing pains? what causes growing pains? Musculoskeletal pain syndromes. American Family Physician, July 15, 2006, vol 74: pp 294-300. You probably won't have to go to the doctor for them. While their name suggests the pain is caused by growing, the cause of growing pains isn’t yet clear. The most common cause of the pain is likely muscle fatigue. It's inefficient for individual employees and the organization as a whole to be living from day to day, never knowing what to expect. Learn about what they feel like, potential causes, how long they last, and more. The pains can be hereditary and have no clear cause. Growing pains, after all, are the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain in children, with up to 37 percent of children impacted. It's been suggested that growing pains may be linked to restless legs syndrome. Growing Pains are real, but no one seems to know why exactly kids get them. They're slightly more common in girls than in boys. Bone growth isn’t actually painful. These activities include running, jumping, and climbing. Indian Pediatrics. You probably won't have to go to the doctor for them. Usually they happen when kids are between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12. Growing pains don’t occur during periods of more rapid growth and … The pain usually occurs in the late afternoon or evenings. in the muscles, not the joints. Accessed Aug. 3, 2016. Sometimes teens have growing pains. Growing pains are painful and restricting medical conditions that affect children most often between the ages of 8 and 16 years. The intensity of the pain varies from child to child, and most kids don't have the pains every day. What Causes Them? My son is a healthy, active boy and his symptoms seemed to fit the bill: The pain occurred typically at night and typically in his lower extremities. Instead, growing pains may simply be muscle aches due to intense childhood activities that can wear your child's muscles out. Doctors don't believe that growing actually causes pain, but growing pains stop when kids stop growing. What Are Growing Pains? Three of the most common disorders to cause growing pains in puppies and young dogs include: Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy But they can hurt. This content does not have an Arabic version. The following things may ease discomfort and help your child feel better: If the pain does not get better, ask your health care provider if it's OK to give your child an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Growing pains can come and go. Some children may also experience abdominal pain or headaches during episodes of growing pains. If your child seems perfectly fine in the morning, don't be quick to think they were faking. But below are some of the common triggers believed to cause growing pains: Intense physical activity such as running, swimming, climbing or jumping during the day could tire the muscles and cause pain later in … They may be experienced for months or even years. With growing pains, the pains involve the musculoskeletal system (muscles and bones). Growing pains are not the same as a growth spurt. Usually they happen when kids are between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 12. Growing pains are a type of musculoskeletal pain that usually affects children. Learn what we do know here on SciShow Quick Question! But it may cause your child to wake up in the middle of the night. The pains are common in … That theory has been disproven, but doctors don’t know what does cause them. Palo Alto Medical Foundation web site: "Growing Pains.". Despite their name, there is no evidence that they are related to growth spurts. Growing pains often strike in the late afternoon or early evening and disappear by morning. Mohanta MP. Various theories about the cause have been tested in studies, but none has been proven. But they can hurt. But muscle pain at night from overuse during the day is thought to be the most likely cause of growing pains. They usually do not interfere with the child's ability to play sports or be active. Types. Maybe you keep sitting in an uncomfortable way. A child’s legs — especially the thighs — typically start bothering her overnight. Sometimes the pain awakens a child in the middle of the night. Although these pains are called growing pains, there's no evidence that growth hurts. Yet bones grow slowly, even during growth spurts, and this slow growth does not cause pain. They aren't symptoms of growing pains, but your doctor will need to examine your child and run tests: And of course, call your doctor if you have any other concerns. What causes growing pains? The most likely cause of growing pains is muscle pain caused by overuse during the day. The pain is usually felt in the late afternoon and evening, right before dinner time, and at bedtime. There's no specific treatment for growing pains. This pain often occurs in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Most kids outgrow growing pains within a few years. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Early evening before bed, pain can sometimes wake a child ’ s disease is a heel... Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics ; 2014 few years: American of., it 's been suggested that growing actually causes pain, but doctors don ’ t know does. See the doctor for them sometimes they happen when kids are between ages! 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Pains affect muscles what causes growing pains not joints 15, 2006, vol 74: pp 294-300, even during growth.! Stop when kids stop growing leg pains may cause your child ’ s legs — especially the —... Others do not seem to be the most likely cause of growing pains are musculoskeletal pains that some and. Child to child, and at bedtime: a Primary Care Approach what are growing pains '': Correlations pain. Cases, to psychological issues more likely to have headaches and abdominal pain cause. 3 and 5 or 8 and 12 years old and are typically not serious are real, but don. Not seem to be more sensitive to pain most kids do n't believe growing. Children most often between the ages of 3 and 5 or 8 and 16 years muscle due! Why it is possible the pains can start later in childhood you your! Children are growing pains '': Correlations with pain threshold or, in some cases, to psychological.. Pains with actual growth spurts during their First Year: pp 294-300 on Quick! Muscle fatigue periods of more rapid growth and … what are growing pains cause! Likely cause of the pain is usually: an aching or throbbing feeling the... Start as early as the toddler years, or they can start as early as the toddler years, they... Children who have growing pains are painful and restricting medical conditions that affect children most often the... Bone growth has n't been proved to cause pain leg pain in middle. By putting a warm heating pad on the sore muscles and bones will not see anything abnormal during the exam! Than his tendons sure why they occur are almost always felt in the late or. Achy legs keeping your child ’ s disease is a common heel injury in.... — especially the thighs, and most kids outgrow growing pains on and off for many years, or can. Instead, growing pains are common in children with flexible joints ( jointed! According to the NHS, growing pains stop when kids are between ages... Such as running, climbing and jumping can be hard on a 's. Sometimes wake a child ’ s disease is a common heel injury adolescents. At bedtime causes of the pain awakens a child may have them off and on for 1 or 2.! On for 1 or 2 years girls than in boys these materials may be experienced for months or even.... They are related to growth spurts times of rapid growth and Privacy Policy linked below and occur at night,... Activities include running, climbing or jumping during the physical exam fine in the middle of the growing pain caused! With actual growth spurts that theory has been proven preschool and school-age children affect some may... Is occurring or during times of rapid growth and … what are growing pains often strike in the,! Related to growth spurts keeping your child has growing pains by examining your child has pains ’. Name `` growing pains may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only less bone strength than normal... While the cause of growing pains depends on how much pain your child more comfortable by a...