What should you know about growing pains in adulthood?

Classic growing pains are episodic aches in the muscles of both legs, often appearing in the evening or overnight and absent by morning. Adult pain may instead relate to an overuse injury, joint irritation, nerve symptoms, circulation problems, or another condition. Pain in a joint, swelling, warmth, numbness, weakness, or pain that steadily worsens does not fit that familiar pattern. Osgood-Schlatter Disease affects a growth area below the kneecap and is mainly associated with growing children and adolescents. Sever's Disease involves a growth area at the heel and is also linked to an immature skeleton.

Record where the pain starts, when it appears, what activity preceded it, and whether rest changes it. For a mild ache after unusual activity, reduce the aggravating activity briefly, keep gentle movement within comfort, and use a wrapped cold pack or warmth according to what feels better. Supportive footwear may help if standing or walking triggers symptoms. Do not massage a swollen, hot, or acutely injured area. A clinician can examine the joints, muscles, nerves, and circulation and decide whether testing is appropriate.

Arrange medical assessment for pain that keeps returning, lasts beyond a short period, interrupts sleep, or limits walking. Seek prompt care for a swollen or hot joint, fever, a new rash, unexplained weight change, marked weakness, or numbness. Urgent help is needed after a significant injury, if the leg looks deformed, or if one leg suddenly becomes swollen, red, warm, and painful, especially with chest pain or breathlessness.

Could the location and timing suggest a muscle, joint, nerve, or circulation problem? What changes should make me stop exercising? Would an examination or imaging help? Which pain-relief options are suitable with my medical history?