Hip Growing Pains in Children: What to Know

The discomfort is often felt in the muscles of the thighs, calves or behind the knees rather than in one hip joint. It may appear after an active day, settle by morning and leave no swelling, rash or limp. A child with persistent one-sided hip pain, pain during the day or reduced activity may have another cause that needs examination. Osgood-Schlatter Disease and Sever's Disease are activity-related conditions that affect different areas around growing bones.

Gentle massage, a warm bath and light stretching may ease an episode. Keep a simple record of timing, location, activity and any limp or fever. Make sure shoes fit well and discuss pain medicine with a clinician or pharmacist, especially for a young child or a child taking other medicines. Do not force sport through pain that changes walking or continues into the next day.

Arrange an assessment for pain in one leg, morning stiffness, a persistent limp, swelling, redness, fever, unusual tiredness, weight loss, pain after an injury or pain that repeatedly wakes the child and does not settle. Seek urgent care if the child cannot bear weight, appears very unwell or has severe sudden hip pain.

Does the pattern fit growing pains? Should the hips, knees and feet be examined? Is activity modification needed? Which symptoms should I record, and what would require same-day review?