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Orthopedics
Growing Pains in Kids
We treat kids like they should be treated: like kids. That’s why we designed our hospital just for them.
What are growing pains?
Growing pain is a term used for harmless muscle pains in kids that have no obvious explanation, other than running or playing hard. They're commonly thought of as a rite of passage, and they occur in about 10 to 20% of healthy, school-age children.
Growing pains typically hurt in the muscles and not in the bones or joints. The pains are typically not localized, meaning that both legs hurt as opposed to just one leg or a specific site of pain.
Who gets growing pains?
Growing pains generally happen during two periods: in early childhood among 3- to 5-year-olds and later in 8- to 12-year-olds. Growing pains tend to be worse at night, sometimes waking children from sleep.
When should I worry about my kid’s growing pains?
If any of the following are present, it is unlikely that your child has growing pains and you and your doctor should look for other causes:
- Symptoms of general illness, such as fever or weight loss
- Pain specific to a single joint
- Pain worsening with time
- Pain interfering with usual daytime activities
- Limping
- Abnormal joint symptoms, such as restricted motion, redness, swelling, warmth or tenderness in the related area
What are the signs and symptoms of growing pains?
Growing pains:
- Usually occur in the calf or thigh muscles
- Always occur on both sides of the leg, not just one side
- Happen late in the day or at night, disappearing by morning
- Usually last 10 to 30 minutes
How are growing pains diagnosed?
When diagnosing growing pains, your child's doctor at Children's Hospital Colorado will pay special attention to how your child responds to touch while in pain.
Kids who have pain from a serious medical disease don't like to be touched or moved because it tends to increase the pain. However, kids with growing pains usually respond differently because they feel better when they're comforted with physical touch such as being held, massaged or cuddled.
How are growing pains in kids treated?
Typically, growing pains are treated with stretching, massage, warm bath/showers and occasionally anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
Why choose Children's Colorado for your child's growing pains?
At the Orthopedics Institute at Children's Colorado, we care for all types of musculoskeletal conditions, from minor growing pains to complex neuromuscular disease and trauma.
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Get to know our pediatric experts.
Matthew Mayer, MD
Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pediatrics
Molly Buerk, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Elinor Berger, CPNP-PC
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner