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What Causes Them?
No firm evidence shows that the growth of bones
causes pain. The most likely causes are the aches and discomforts resulting
from the jumping, climbing, and running that active kids do during the day. The
pains can occur after a child has had a particularly athletic day.
Signs and Symptoms
Growing pains always concentrate in the muscles, rather
than the joints. Most kids report pains in the front of their thighs, in the
calves, or behind the knees. Whereas joints affected by more serious diseases
are swollen, red, tender, or warm, the joints of kids experiencing growing
pains appear normal.
Although growing pains often strike in late
afternoon or early evening before bed, pain can sometimes wake a sleeping
child. The intensity of the pain varies from child to child, and most kids
don't experience the pains every day.
Diagnosing Growing Pains
One symptom that doctors find most helpful in
making a diagnosis of growing pains is how the child responds to touch while in
pain. Kids who have pain from a serious medical disease don't like to be
handled because movement tends to increase the pain. But those with growing
pains respond differently — they feel better when they're held, massaged, and
cuddled.
Growing pains are what doctors call a diagnosis
of exclusion. This means that other conditions should be ruled out before a
diagnosis of growing pains is made. A thorough history and
physical examination by your doctor can usually accomplish this. In rare
instances, blood and X-ray studies may be required before a final diagnosis of
growing pains is made.
Helping Your Child
Some things that may help alleviate the pain
include:
•
massaging the area
•
stretching
•
placing a heating pad on the area
giving ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Never give aspirin to a child
under 12 due to its association with Reye syndrome, a rare
but potentially fatal disease.)
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