Children with complaints of leg aches are usually not serious. They likely are experiencing what is commonly referred to as growing pains. These pains, medically known as non-specific limb pains of childhood, may affect as many as 40 percent of kids, according to KidsHealth. Achy legs typically do not require medical intervention; however, the presence of additional symptoms should be reported to a pediatrician.
Growing Pains
Growing pains were first described in medical literature in the early 1800s, according to Felicity Goodyear-Smith and Bruce Arroll in a "British Medical Journal" article published in September 2006. These leg aches typically occur in children between the ages of 3 and 12. Growing pains usually take place in the evening or nighttime and may disrupt children's sleep. Joint pain, inflammation and problems with movement are not associated with these leg aches. Kids usually experience growing pains in both legs.
Potential Causes
What causes these leg aches is still unclear, but what is known is that growing has nothing to do with them. Musculoskeletal stress may play a role, according to Pennsylvania State University's Dr. Barbara Ostrov. Shin splints, flat feet and lower-leg stress fractures all produce symptoms similar to that of growing pains, Ostrov notes. In addition, musculoskeletal stress could explain why kids experience these leg aches more after physical exertion. A March 2004 study in, "The Journal of Rheumatology" found that kids with growing pains have lower tolerance for pain, which could be indicative of a non-inflammatory pain syndrome.
Treatment
Little research has been done on the effectiveness of treatments for growing pains, but therapeutic touch and use of heat may help alleviate these leg aches, according to a July 2008 article in the "Journal of Foot and Ankle Research." Massaging the leg and stretching the affected muscle can be beneficial, as can applying a heating pad to the leg. If these methods fail, children may take pain relievers including acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Aspirin should never be used as this can cause a fatal reaction in kids.
Warning
Achy legs are common in children and are rarely a cause for concern; however, it's important to recognize the signs that something more serious may be occurring. Dr. Ostrov says that kids experiencing these pains three to four times a week should be medically evaluated. Any signs or symptoms that accompany leg aches are not indicative of harmless growing pains; these include redness, swelling, limping, continual pain and fatigue. Physicians will likely order diagnostic tests, such as blood work and x-rays, to check for infections or other medical issues.
References
- "British Medical Journal"; Growing Pains; Felicity Goodyear-Smith, Bruce Arroll; September 2006
- Pennsylvania State University; Are Children's Growing Pains Real?; Lisa Duchene
- "The Journal of Rheumatology"; Decreased Pain Threshold in Children with Growing Pains; PJ Hashkes, et al.; March 2004
- "Journal of Foot and Ankle Research"; Growing Pains: Contemporary Knowledge and Recommended Practice; Angela M Evans; July 2008
- KidsHealth.org; Growing Pains; Steven Dowshen, MD
