Growing Pains

MONITORING MUSCULOSKELETAL CHANGES IN CHILDREN

BY PETE ALFANO

Most people are familiar with the expression “growing pains,” which is often used when someone is learning a new job or in a new relationship. But medically, growing pains is an informal way of describing those mysterious musculoskeletal aches and pains that many children experience and defy explanation.

Even today, medical science doesn’t really know why children and even some teenagers have leg and arm pain at night that doesn’t have a specific cause, such as overuse or injury. Although physical activity at an intense level appears to be a contributing factor, it was long believed that growing pains were linked to growth spurts, but that theory has been debunked. They do appear related, however, to a child’s overall physical maturation.

Studies have found that two of every five children will have some form of growing pains. The discomfort occurs at night when a child is at rest. Pain and cramping typically starts in the legs and can include the arms. Growing pains can wake a child and last 20 minutes or more. They can also occur on consecutive nights or sporadically over several days and typically are gone by morning. Massaging the aching muscles, applying heat, stretching, and occasional use of anti-inflammatory medication as approved by a physician, can help alleviate the pain.

Parents should be aware that growing pains may be more than just a part of growing up. They can be a sign of more serious musculoskeletal issues such as juvenile arthritis, scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine, and sprains or broken bones. Musculoskeletal pain involves ligaments, tendons, joints, and bones, not just muscle aches and cramps. The pain also doesn’t alleviate and can be present during the day. A child may limp or favor an arm or leg, which can indicate a more serious issue.

Because growing pains usually occur between the ages of two and 12, it can be more difficult to assess the type of pain and level of discomfort because younger children are unable to express exactly how much they hurt and where. Sometimes, the pain may originate in one part of the body but is felt elsewhere, which is called referred pain.

Thus, it is important for parents to monitor their child’s aches and pains to determine whether a visit to the doctor is in order. According to the Cleveland Clinic, signs of abnormal discomfort include swelling at the pain site, a fever, rash, loss of appetite, weakness, and a general lack of energy. Pain on only one side of the body may also signal something other than growing pains. A child may find it difficult to even go to school when the pain is persistent.

If a parent has any doubts, the child should be examined by a physician who can determine whether the symptoms are growing pains or a more serious disorder, in rare cases, even cancer. This can be accomplished with an exam or bloodwork and ultrasound to rule out clots, and fluid on the knee or hip. An exam may not alleviate a child’s growing pains, but it may comfort parents to know that this is part of growing up.

Lowering the Risk of Growing Pains

We live in an age when kids spend less time spontaneously playing outdoors. Much of their physical activity is in organized sports such as baseball/softball, soccer, track, football, dance, and even cheerleading, which can put a lot of stress on leg muscles and joints. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children play multiple sports and delay specializing until late adolescence because engaging in the same activity over an extended period can cause “repetitive trauma” or overuse of the same muscle groups.

Thus, if your child plays soccer in the spring, encourage them to play another sport in the fall or not play a sport at all. Studies have shown that growing pains are equally common among boys and girls, especially now that more girls engage in sports such as soccer and softball. Taking part in a variety of sports or activities can help overall muscle development and coordination and prevent injuries in the long term.