Growing Pains

Symptoms

Growing pains are transient, bilateral pains in the legs that occur mainly in the evening and at night in children between the ages of 3 and 12. The joints are not affected and there is no evidence of injury, inflammation, or infection. The condition was first described in 1823 by French physician Marcel Duchamp.

Causes

The cause of the pain is unknown. Growth spurts do not appear to play a role. Suspected causes have included a connection with faulty posture, anatomic factors, overuse, overtiredness, and psychological factors.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made as a diagnosis of exclusion in medical treatment. Numerous conditions that cause similar complaints must be identified. It is believed that children with restless legs syndrome are often misdiagnosed. Unlike growing pains, it is a chronic condition that carries over into adulthood.

Treatment

Growing pains have a good prognosis and usually go away on their own. Muscle stretching, leg massage, and heat pads can have a positive effect. Pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used for drug treatment. However, they should not be given to children regularly over a long period of time because of the potential adverse effects. Other options mentioned in the literature include arnica ointments, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and alternative medicines. There is insufficient scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these measures.