7 Common Growing Pains Symptoms Every Parent Should Know

Growing pains are a common childhood condition that affects approximately 25-40% of children, typically between the ages of 3 and 12 years old. Despite the name, these pains are not actually caused by growth spurts. They are characterized by recurrent, aching muscle pains that usually occur in the legs during late afternoon, evening, or nighttime hours. While growing pains can be concerning for parents, they are generally harmless and tend to resolve on their own as children get older.

Understanding the symptoms of growing pains is crucial for parents to differentiate them from more serious conditions and provide appropriate comfort to their children. The pain typically appears in both legs and does not affect joints, which helps distinguish it from other medical conditions. Let’s explore the most common symptoms associated with growing pains.

1. Pain in Both Legs

The hallmark symptom of growing pains is discomfort that affects both legs simultaneously or alternates between legs. This bilateral pattern is one of the key distinguishing features that helps identify growing pains from other conditions.

Characteristics of leg pain:

• Pain typically occurs in the muscles rather than the joints
• Most commonly affects the front of the thighs, calves, and behind the knees
• The pain is usually deep and aching in nature
• Both legs may hurt at the same time, or the pain may alternate between legs
• The intensity can vary from mild discomfort to severe pain

Children often describe the sensation as a throbbing, aching, or cramping feeling deep within their leg muscles. The pain does not affect the joints such as the knees or ankles, which is an important distinguishing factor from arthritis or other joint-related conditions.

2. Nighttime Pain Episodes

One of the most distinctive features of growing pains is their timing. The pain characteristically occurs during the late afternoon, evening, or nighttime hours, often waking children from sleep.

Timing patterns include:

• Pain typically begins in the late afternoon or evening
• Most episodes occur at night, sometimes waking the child from sleep
• Pain is often absent during the day
• Children wake up in the morning with no residual discomfort
• Episodes may be more frequent after days of increased physical activity

The nighttime occurrence is so characteristic that if pain persists throughout the day or is present upon waking in the morning, it may indicate a different condition that requires medical evaluation. Parents often report that their child goes to bed feeling fine but wakes up crying with leg pain in the middle of the night.

3. Intermittent Pain Episodes

Growing pains do not occur every day. Instead, they follow an irregular, intermittent pattern with pain-free periods between episodes.

Episode patterns:

• Pain comes and goes unpredictably
• Pain-free intervals can last days, weeks, or even months
• Some children experience episodes several nights in a row, followed by long pain-free periods
• The frequency and intensity of episodes vary greatly among children
• Episodes may cluster during certain periods and then disappear for extended times

This intermittent nature helps distinguish growing pains from chronic conditions or injuries that would produce more consistent symptoms. Parents should note the pattern of episodes, as continuous daily pain would warrant medical evaluation to rule out other conditions.

4. Pain That Responds to Comfort Measures

Unlike pain from injuries or serious medical conditions, growing pains typically respond well to simple comfort measures and parental reassurance.

Responsive to:

• Gentle massage of the affected leg muscles
• Application of warm heating pads or warm baths
• Stretching exercises
• Gentle rubbing or stroking of the legs
• Parental presence and reassurance

Children often find significant relief from these simple interventions, and the pain usually subsides within 10 to 30 minutes. The quick response to comfort measures is another characteristic feature that helps identify growing pains. If pain does not improve with these measures or worsens, medical evaluation may be necessary.

5. No Physical Signs or Symptoms During the Day

A crucial characteristic of growing pains is the complete absence of physical symptoms during daytime hours. Children with growing pains appear completely normal when examined.

Daytime characteristics:

• No limping or altered gait during the day
• Normal participation in physical activities and sports
• No swelling, redness, or warmth in the legs
• No tenderness when legs are touched or pressed
• Full range of motion in all joints
• Normal energy levels and activity

Children with growing pains can run, jump, and play normally throughout the day without any signs of discomfort. This normal daytime function is an essential diagnostic feature. If a child shows limping, refuses to bear weight, or has visible swelling or redness, these signs suggest a different condition that requires medical attention.

6. Pain Intensity Varies

The intensity of growing pains can fluctuate significantly, both between different children and between episodes in the same child.

Intensity variations:

• Some episodes cause mild discomfort that barely wakes the child
• Other episodes can be severe enough to cause crying and significant distress
• Pain intensity may vary from one episode to the next
• The duration of pain episodes typically ranges from a few minutes to a few hours
• Most episodes last between 10 to 30 minutes

Parents should be aware that severe pain does not necessarily indicate a more serious condition. However, if pain is consistently severe, progressively worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, it warrants medical evaluation to rule out other causes.

7. Age-Specific Occurrence

Growing pains typically affect children within specific age ranges, though they can occasionally occur outside these windows.

Age-related patterns:

• Most common in children aged 3 to 12 years
• Two peak periods: preschool age (3-5 years) and school age (8-12 years)
• Rarely occurs in children under 3 years old
• Usually resolves by early adolescence
• Affects both boys and girls equally

The age-specific nature of growing pains is another helpful diagnostic feature. While the exact age of onset and resolution varies, most children outgrow these pains by their early teenage years. If leg pain begins in older teenagers or adults, or persists beyond the typical age range, other causes should be investigated.

Main Causes of Growing Pains

Despite decades of research, the exact cause of growing pains remains unclear. However, several theories have been proposed to explain why children experience these symptoms:

Muscle fatigue and overuse: The most widely accepted theory suggests that growing pains result from muscle fatigue due to the physical activities of childhood. Running, jumping, and climbing throughout the day may cause microscopic muscle damage that becomes painful at night when the child is at rest.

Anatomical factors: Some researchers believe that the mechanical stress of daily activities on developing bones and muscles may contribute to discomfort. The musculoskeletal system is constantly adapting to a child’s increasing size and activity level.

Pain threshold variations: Some children may have a lower pain threshold or increased pain sensitivity, making them more susceptible to experiencing discomfort from normal muscle use.

Bone growth: While not directly caused by bone growth, the name persists. However, bones grow continuously and slowly, not in spurts that would cause intermittent pain.

Genetic predisposition: Growing pains tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. Children whose parents experienced growing pains are more likely to have them as well.

Psychological factors: Some studies suggest that children who are more emotionally sensitive or who experience stress may be more prone to growing pains, though this remains controversial.

It’s important to note that growing pains are not caused by growth spurts, despite the misleading name. Bones grow steadily and continuously, and research has not found a correlation between growth rate and the occurrence of these pains.

Prevention Strategies

While growing pains cannot be completely prevented, several strategies may help reduce their frequency and severity:

Encourage regular stretching: Implementing a routine of gentle leg stretches before bedtime can help relax muscles and potentially reduce nighttime pain episodes. Focus on stretching the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles.

Ensure adequate hydration: Proper hydration throughout the day supports muscle function and may help prevent muscle cramps and discomfort. Encourage children to drink water regularly, especially after physical activity.

Promote balanced physical activity: While exercise is important for healthy development, ensure children have adequate rest periods between intense activities. Gradual increases in activity levels may be better tolerated than sudden increases.

Maintain good sleep hygiene: Ensuring children get adequate sleep in a comfortable environment may help their bodies recover better from daily activities. A consistent bedtime routine can be beneficial.

Consider warm baths before bed: A warm bath before bedtime can help relax muscles and may reduce the likelihood or severity of nighttime pain episodes.

Ensure proper footwear: Well-fitting, supportive shoes can help reduce muscle strain during daily activities. Avoid shoes that are too tight, too loose, or lack proper arch support.

Monitor vitamin D levels: Some research suggests a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and growing pains. Ensuring adequate vitamin D intake through diet, supplements (with medical guidance), or safe sun exposure may be beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are growing pains exactly?

Growing pains are recurrent episodes of muscle pain, typically in the legs, that affect children between ages 3 and 12. Despite the name, they are not caused by growth. They usually occur at night and resolve by morning without causing any lasting problems.

How long do growing pains last?

Individual episodes of growing pains typically last from 10 to 30 minutes, though some may persist for a few hours. The condition itself usually resolves completely by early adolescence, though the timeline varies among children.

When should I take my child to the doctor for leg pain?

Consult a healthcare provider if your child experiences persistent pain, pain that occurs during the day, limping, swelling, redness, warmth, fever, pain in joints, pain in only one leg, or if the pain affects their daily activities. These symptoms may indicate a condition other than growing pains.

Do growing pains only affect the legs?

Yes, growing pains almost exclusively affect the legs, particularly the thighs, calves, and area behind the knees. Pain in the arms, back, or other areas is uncommon with growing pains and may suggest a different condition.

Can growing pains cause limping?

No, growing pains should not cause limping. Children with growing pains have normal gait and activity levels during the day. Limping suggests an injury or other condition that requires medical evaluation.

Are growing pains related to growth spurts?

No, despite the name, growing pains are not related to growth spurts. Research has found no correlation between periods of rapid growth and the occurrence of these pains. The exact cause remains unknown, though muscle fatigue is a leading theory.

Can adults get growing pains?

No, growing pains are specific to childhood. If an adult experiences similar symptoms, they have a different condition that should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Leg pain in adults has various potential causes that require proper diagnosis.

Is there a test to diagnose growing pains?

No specific test exists for growing pains. Diagnosis is based on the characteristic symptom pattern and the absence of other findings. Doctors diagnose growing pains by taking a careful history and performing a physical examination to rule out other conditions.

References:

• Mayo Clinic – Growing Pains
• Stanford Children’s Health – Growing Pains
• American Academy of Pediatrics – Growing Pains
• NHS – Growing Pains
• Cleveland Clinic – Growing Pains