• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
    • Shoulder Injuries
    • Knee Injuries
    • Elbow Injuries
  • About
Blog / Articles / Pediatric Orthopedic

Growing Pains

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated September 23, 2021

Featured image placeholder

Growing pains:

When should we worry and what should we do?

As a pediatrician, I have heard parents attribute dozens of different issues to growing pains.  Pediatricians just shake their heads.

I have also heard of pediatricians writing off child’s aches and pains as growing pains when there was something more significant going on.

Growing pains:

  1. Are located in the legs (most commonly) and sometimes the arms
  2. Occur at night and occasionally with activity
  3. Occur between 3-6 years of age and again at 8-12 years
  4. Concentrated in the muscles, not the joints

Growing pains are so common that your child will likely experience them at some point. We do not know for sure what causes them but it’s pretty clear that it’s not from the growth of bones. Some have suggested it might be soreness from the increased activity of these age group but no one really knows for sure.

For most kids there is no reason to worry as it is a temporary annoyance that the child will eventually outgrow without treatment.

So, when should we be concerned?

  1. There is associated swelling or redness
  2. There is associated fever
  3. There is a limp
  4. The pain is consistent throughout the day

Most pain in the arms and legs will be growing pains in this age group but if these are present, talk with your doctor. More workup (such as labs or xrays) or a referral to a specialist might be in order.

What can you do with your child who has growing pains?

Massage the area. A little time with mommy or daddy and a simple massage of the muscles is usually enough to calm the child down and help them go back to sleep.

Tell them that everything is ok. Often the parents are scared and anxious and the child can feel this. If you tell them repeatedly not to worry, maybe you will start to believe it too.

If all else fails, a small dose of ibuprofen is a good last line of defense. If this does not work, it’s time to go see your doctor.

 

Justin Smith, M.D. is a general pediatrician in Lewisville, the Medical Advisor for Digital Health for Cook Children’s, the father of three young children (all 5 and under) and generally very tired.  You can find him on Facebook: The Doc Smitty and Twitter: @TheDocSmitty. He blogs regularly on Cook Children’s hospital newsroom: checkupnewsroom.com/thedocsmitty.

Disclaimer

Categories: Pediatric Orthopedic Tags: growing pains

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

“The seven simple steps to make ‘longevity simplified’, will help to improve your metabolic health right now.” – Dr. Neil Meigh

Learn More
Read Reviews

Related Articles

Is Single Sport Specialization Hurting Our Children
Predicting Injury In Youth Sports
Meniscus tears in children
When Should My Child Have ACL Surgery- Video
When should I have ACL surgery
Early ACL Reconstruction Strongly Recommended For Young Athletes
PRP Injection Tennis Elbow
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries
Pediatric Shoulder and Elbow Injury Prevention: Obeying Pitch Counts
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Primary Sidebar

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

Learn More
Read Reviews

Reader Favorites

  • Batters shoulder posterior labral tear
    Batter’s Shoulder : Posterior Labral Tears
  • LEg exercises improve longevity
    Runners require strength too: What to do and when to do it
  • calcific tendonitis and severe shoulder pain
    Why Does My Shoulder Hurt So Much?
  • lactate polarized training
    Lactate, the lactate shuttle, and lactate threshold workouts in polarized training
  • Zone 2 heart rate training
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  • knee swelling
    Pain In The Front Of The Knee: 6 Common Causes
  • Polarized training for runners
    Polarized training for everyday runners: Part 1
  • Exercise is more important than ever
    Does Exercise Cause Osteoarthritis?

Howard J Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Phone: (914)-559-1900
Book Appointment

Pages

  • About
  • Upcoming Books
  • Testimonials
  • In The News
  • Media Photos
  • Contact

Topics

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Elbow
  • Metabolic Health
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Training

More

  • COVID
  • Ankle
  • Hip
  • PRP
  • Running
  • Sports Medicine
  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
  • About

© 2023 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.