Growing pains in children are not uncommon during growth spurts, but when it becomes enough that they start to complain, it could be time to bring out the measuring tape.
Growing pains can begin in early childhood and continue through the spurts of teenage growth.
According to Dr. Ahmad Bazzi, a sports medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health, “Not every child gets growing pains. It’s more common in kids who are growing and also doing sports and other repetitive physical activities.”
Although growth spurts can bring some discomfort, this pain usually isn’t something to worry about.
Growth spurts: What is actually happening?
In growing children, bones, muscles and tendons are always changing. The long bones in the legs -- the thigh bone, shinbone and calf bone -- have growth plates, which are soft tissue areas located at the ends of the bones.
As children grow, these growth plates gradually expand and then harden into solid bone by the time growth ends -- usually around puberty.
“Muscles and tendons are attached to the growth plates,” Bazzi said. “During growth spurts, the muscles are getting stronger and that can put more stress on the plates and cause pain.”
How growing pains feel
Children with growing pains often describe throbbing or aching sensations in their legs and knees. This discomfort is typically more pronounced in the evening or during the night.
Bazzi noted that growing pains only affect both legs about 40% of the time.
“Unlike an acute sports injury, these pains usually come on gradually, but kids often report that specific movements or activities trigger or worsen their pain.”
Managing growing pains
Even though it might not be what your child wants to hear, the best treatment for growing pains is rest.
“That pain is your body telling you to rest,” Bazzi said.
Typically, taking a break from activities that bring on the pain is enough. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can also be used for short-term relief of pain and soreness.
For older kids and teens, working with a physical therapist or trainer might help if the pain is related to sports. Sometimes tight muscles in the legs strain the growth plates, and specialized exercises can reduce that strain.
When to consult a doctor
Most growing pains are temporary and don’t require medical care. However, if your child experiences ongoing pain that stops them from doing activities they enjoy, it’s important to see a doctor.
The doctor will conduct a detailed physical exam and ask about activities that worsen the pain. Imaging tests like X-rays may be needed to check for any damage or stress to the growth plates.
“The tendons that attach to the growth plate can become weak or damaged during growth spurts,” Bazzi said. “Kids who try to play through the pain are especially at risk.”
Some serious conditions that can affect the growth plate include:
- Growth plate fractures, which are breaks in the growth plate.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease, an inflammation at the top of the shin’s growth plate that causes knee pain.
- Sever’s disease, inflammation in the growth plate of the heel that causes heel pain.
“All of these are temporary conditions that will go away, especially after your child finishes growing,” Bazzi said. “In the meantime, it’s important for your child to learn to listen to what their body is telling them and take a break from activities when needed.”