Growing pains: what to do

Children may describe an aching or throbbing feeling in the muscles of the thighs, calves, or behind the knees. The discomfort often appears in the evening or wakes a child at night, while the child seems well during the day. Growing pains do not typically cause a single swollen joint, a rash, fever, weakness, or a lasting limp. Leg pain after active play can have other explanations, including an injury or an overuse condition such as Osgood-Schlatter Disease or Sever's Disease.

Gently massage the sore areas, apply a warm—not hot—cloth, and use simple stretches if they feel comfortable. A calm bedtime routine can reduce worry when pain interrupts sleep. Keep a note of which legs hurt, when symptoms occur, and whether daytime activity is affected. Do not force a stretch or return a child to sport while pain causes limping. A clinician or pharmacist can advise whether a child-specific pain reliever is suitable, including the correct product and dose for that child.

Arrange a medical assessment if pain is mainly on one side, occurs during the day, persists in one spot, or is becoming more frequent. Seek prompt care for swelling, redness, warmth, fever, unusual tiredness, weight loss, weakness, numbness, or a new limp. After an injury, urgent assessment is appropriate when the child cannot use the leg normally, has marked tenderness, or the limb looks changed. These features do not identify one diagnosis by themselves, but they should not be labelled as growing pains without an examination.

Ask what findings support growing pains, whether an examination or tests are needed, which activities are reasonable, and what symptom changes should trigger a review.