Growing pains are leg pains and soreness that happen to children at night. Growing pains usually start when kids are 3–12 years old.
Most kids with growing pains have pain in their thighs, calves, shins, or behind the knees. The pain usually is in both legs and does not involve the joints. Occasionally, kids may have pain in the arms along with leg pain, but they do not have pain only in the arms. Growing pains often strike in late afternoon or early evening before bed but pain can sometimes wake a sleeping child.
Most kids are pain-free and active as usual during the day. Growing pains may last for months or years, but they don't happen every day. There might be days, weeks, or months between pain episodes.
Doctors don’t know what causes growing pains. Pain is not worse during growth spurts and the pain is not around the growth areas of bones. So "growing" pains might just be aches from the jumping, climbing, and running that kids do during the day. Often, a child’s growing pains happen after a very active day.
There is no medical test for growing pains. Doctors diagnose them based on a child’s symptoms. It’s likely growing pains if a child:
If symptoms do not fit this pattern, the doctor may order blood tests and X-rays to look for another cause.
To help ease growing pains, your child can:
Call your doctor if your child has:
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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