‘Growing pains’ are a very commonly misdiagnosed condition, often with any leg pain that does not have a specific diagnosis being called growing pains.
Growing pains are a common phenomenon experienced by many children, typically between the ages of 3 and 12. Despite the name, they are not directly caused by the growth of bones. The exact cause of the problem is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute:
- Overuse or Strain: Growing pains may result from overuse or strain on the muscles and tendons around the bones. Children who are active, participate in sports, or engage in physical activities may experience muscle fatigue or minor muscle injuries, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Muscular Development: During growth spurts, the muscles and bones may grow at different rates, temporarily causing tension or imbalance in the muscles. This imbalance can contribute to muscle soreness or discomfort, particularly in the legs.
- Fatigue or Exhaustion: Lack of rest or insufficient sleep can contribute to muscle fatigue and discomfort. Children who are not getting enough rest may be more prone to experiencing growing pains.
- Genetics and Family History: There may be a genetic component to growing pains, as they tend to run in families. If a parent or sibling experienced growing pains during childhood, it increases the likelihood of a child experiencing them as well.
Growing Pains in Children’s Legs: Common FAQs
1. What are growing pains?
Growing pains are recurrent, self-limiting episodes of aching, throbbing, or cramping pain, most often in the legs. They typically affect the front of the thighs, calves, shins, or the area behind the knees. The pain is almost always bilateral (both legs), occurs in the late afternoon, evening, or at night (sometimes waking the child from sleep), and is gone by morning. Children remain active and well during the day with a normal physical exam (no swelling, redness, warmth, limping, or joint involvement).
2. Are growing pains real? Do they actually have anything to do with growing?
Yes, the pain is real—children are not imagining it. However, research shows they are not related to growth, growth plates, or periods of rapid growth. The name is historical and has stuck even though the exact cause is unknown. Possible contributing factors include muscle fatigue after active days, a lower pain threshold, joint hypermobility, flat feet, low vitamin D levels, or stress, but none of these fully explain every case.
3. At what age do growing pains occur?
They most commonly affect children between ages 3 and 12 (preschool and school-age), with peaks sometimes noted around 3–5 and 8–12 years. They are slightly more common in girls than boys. Most children outgrow them by the early teenage years.
4. What do growing pains feel like and how long does an episode last?
Children typically describe deep aching, throbbing, or cramping (not sharp or joint-focused). An episode usually lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Pain is intermittent—it may occur several nights in a row, then disappear for days or weeks. It does not limit daytime play, sports, or walking.
5. What causes growing pains?
The precise cause is unknown. Leading theories include:
- Muscle overuse or fatigue after running, jumping, climbing, or a particularly active day.
- Possible links to lower pain thresholds, flexible joints (hypermobility), foot posture differences (e.g., flat feet), or low vitamin D/bone density in some children.
- Emotional or physical stress may play a role in some cases.
They are not caused by growing bones pulling on muscles or by any serious disease when the classic pattern is present.
6. How can I relieve my child’s growing pains?
There is no specific medical treatment needed because the condition is benign and self-resolving. Helpful home measures include:
- Gentle massage of the aching muscles.
- Warm baths or a heating pad (used carefully and supervised).
- Stretching the leg muscles (especially before bed or after active play).
- Over-the-counter pain relief such as children’s acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen, following age/weight dosing guidelines.
- Reassurance and comfort—staying with your child and offering calm support often helps them settle.
Encourage normal physical activity; restricting play is not recommended.
7. How long do growing pains last overall?
Individual episodes are short (minutes to hours). The condition itself may come and go over months or a few years but typically resolves or becomes much less frequent by the early teens. It does not affect a child’s growth, strength, or long-term health.
8. When should I see a doctor?
Contact a healthcare professional if the pain:
- Occurs in only one leg.
- Persists into the morning or during the day.
- Is located in the joints (knees, ankles, etc.).
- Is accompanied by swelling, redness, warmth, tenderness, bruising, fever, rash, limp, refusal to walk, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, or other systemic symptoms.
- Interferes with daily activities or sleep on an ongoing basis.
- Started after an injury or is getting progressively worse.
These “red flags” can indicate other conditions (injury, infection, inflammation, or rarer problems) that need evaluation. A normal exam and classic history usually confirm growing pains without needing tests.
9. Can growing pains affect the arms or other areas?
Occasionally children report arm pain along with leg pain, but isolated arm pain is not typical of growing pains. The classic pattern is lower-limb dominant.
10. Do growing pains mean something is wrong with my child’s bones or development?
No. When the typical features are present and the child is otherwise healthy and active, growing pains are considered a normal childhood phenomenon. They do not slow growth, cause deformity, or lead to long-term problems.
Bottom line: Growing pains are common, real, and usually harmless. Simple comfort measures plus parental reassurance are the mainstays of care. If anything about the pain seems atypical or concerning, a pediatrician or pediatric orthopedist can help rule out other causes and provide peace of mind.