Definition

• Growing pains are harmless pains that occur in the leg muscles
• They are common and occur in 10 to 20% of children
• They often start between ages 4 and 6

Health Information

Symptoms

• Mild to moderate pains that occur in the thigh or calf muscles. The pain is not in the joints.
• The pain usually occurs on both sides.
• The pain usually lasts 10 to 30 minutes.
• Usually only occur once per day, often in the evening.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is made based upon the typical pain pattern and a normal physical exam. There is no joint swelling, limping or fever. There is also normal movement of the leg joints.
• Lab tests and X-ray studies are not helpful.

Cause

• Growing pains tend to occur late in the day. They are probably due to running and playing hard. They don’t follow any known injury. Some of them are muscle cramps.
• There is no research that suggests they are caused by growth. They don’t occur during a period of rapid growth.
• But, they have been called growing pains for over 100 years. No better term has come along to replace it.

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Growing pains are common and occur in normal children.
   • Usually, the muscle pains don’t last more than 30 minutes.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Massage:
   • Massage of the sore muscles can help the pain go away.
   • It also increases blood flow to the muscle.
3. Pain Medicine:
   • Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen if the pain lasts more than 30 minutes.
   • Usually, pain medicines are not needed because the pain goes away quickly.
4. Activity:
   • Your child does not need to limit his sports or play. It is not helpful to restrict activity.
5. Prevention of Recurrent Growing Pains:
   • Research has shown that daily stretching exercises can prevent most growing pains.
   • Have someone teach you how to stretch the quads, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
   • Stretch each muscle several times every day. The best time often is before the time that the growing pains usually occur.
   • Also, be sure your child gets enough calcium in the diet. Daily Vitamin D3 may also help.
6. What to Expect:
   • Each bout of pain lasts 10-30 minutes.
   • Growing pains come and go for several years.
   • They are rarely seen after 10 years of age.

Call Your Doctor If

• Pain moves to the joints (hip, knee or ankle)
• Limping occurs
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

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