Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Growing Pains

Author(s):

Growing pains may be linked to a lowered pain threshold or, in some cases, to psychological issues.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Growing Pains

Growing pains are frequently described as an ache or throb in the legs—often in the front of the thighs, calves, or behind the knees.

Insight:

Growing pains tend to affect both legs and occur at night and may even wake a child from sleep.
Although these pains are called growing pains, there's no evidence that growth hurts. Growing pains may be linked to a lowered pain threshold or, in some cases, to psychological issues.
There's no specific treatment for growing pains. You can make your child more comfortable by putting a warm heating pad on the sore muscles and massaging them.
Symptoms include leg pain, throbbing and aching in the thighs, calves, and behind the knees.
Growing pain is common in preschool and school-aged children.
Diagnosis may include a physical exam and diagnostic tests, such as X-rays.
Treatment can include a gentle massage in the area affected or use of a heating pad, as well as pain reliever medications and stretching exercises.

Sources:

Growing pains - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic