Symptoms

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. Usually both legs hurt. Some children may also experience abdominal pain or headache during episodes of growing pains.

Growing pains often strike in the late afternoon or early evening and disappear by morning. Sometimes the pain awakens a child in the middle of the night.

When to see a doctor
Consult your child's doctor if you're concerned about your child's leg pain or the pain is:

• Persistent
• Still present in the morning
• Severe enough to interfere with your child's normal activities
• Located in the joints
• Associated with an injury
• Accompanied by other signs or symptoms, such as swelling, redness, tenderness, fever, limping, rash, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue

Causes

There's no evidence that a child's growth is painful. However, running, climbing and jumping can be hard on a child's musculoskeletal system. Muscle pain at night from overuse during the day is the most likely cause of growing pains.

Risk factors

Growing pains are most common from ages 2 to 12 and are slightly more common in girls than in boys. Running, climbing or jumping during the day might increase the risk of leg pain at night.

Preparing for your appointment

Most children who have growing pains will not need to see a doctor. If the pain is persistent or unusual, you may want to bring your concerns to the attention of your family doctor or pediatrician.

What you can do
Before the appointment, you may want to write a list that answers the following questions:

• Where does the pain occur?
• Is there a certain time of day when the pain usually occurs?
• How long does the pain last?
• What, if anything, relieves the pain?
• Does the pain wake your child up at night or make it difficult to fall asleep?
• Has your child experienced any other signs or symptoms — such as swelling, redness, abdominal pain or headaches?
• Has your child recently started a new physical activity?

What to expect from your doctor
During the exam, your doctor may ask questions about your child's symptoms and activities. He or she will check your child's bones and muscles for signs of tenderness.

Tests and diagnosis

Doctors can usually diagnose growing pains without having to order any tests. 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.

Treatment and drugs

There's no specific treatment for growing pains. However, you can help ease your child's discomfort with self-care measures, such as massaging your child's legs.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can help ease your child's discomfort with these home remedies:

• Rub your child's legs. Some children respond to gentle massage. Others feel better when they're held or cuddled.
• Use a heating pad. Heat can help soothe sore muscles. Use a heating pad on a low setting before bedtime or when your child complains of leg pain. Remove the heating pad once your child falls asleep. A warm bath before bedtime may help, too.
• Try a pain reliever. Offer your child ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Avoid aspirin, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome — a rare but serious condition linked to giving aspirin to children.