Growing pains in children explained

What growing pains are

Growing pains are aching or cramping pains, usually felt in both legs — often in the muscles of the calves, the fronts of the thighs, or behind the knees. They are common in young children, particularly between about three and twelve years of age. Despite the name, there is no good evidence that they are caused by bones growing, and they do not happen at the fastest times of growth. The exact cause is not fully understood, but they may be linked to active days, tired muscles, or the way some children are simply more prone to them. They are harmless and do not cause any damage. Knowing they are common and not serious can be reassuring, though it is still important to recognise the pattern and rule out other causes.

How to recognise them

Growing pains have a fairly typical pattern that helps tell them apart from more worrying causes. They tend to come in the late afternoon, evening or night, sometimes waking a child from sleep, and are usually gone by morning. They affect both legs, in the muscles rather than the joints, and do not cause a limp. The child is otherwise completely well, active and happy during the day. The pain comes and goes, with pain-free days or even weeks in between, and often follows a busy or active day. Comfort, massage or a cuddle usually helps. Crucially, there is no swelling, redness, warmth, rash or fever, and the child does not seem generally unwell. If the pattern is different from this, it is worth having the pain checked.

Easing the discomfort

Growing pains do not need medical treatment, but simple comfort measures usually help a child through an episode. Gently massaging or rubbing the aching legs is often soothing, as is a warm bath before bed or a warm (not hot) covered hot water bottle or heat pack on the sore muscles, used carefully. A cuddle and reassurance go a long way, as the pain can be frightening for a child even though it is harmless. If the pain is troubling your child, a suitable children's painkiller such as paracetamol, used as directed for their age, can help. Staying active and gentle stretching during the day do no harm and are fine. Because episodes pass on their own, the aim is simply to keep your child comfortable until the pain settles, usually by morning.

Warning signs to check

It is important to know when leg pain is not growing pains, so a more serious problem is not missed. See your GP if the pain is only ever in one leg or one spot, is in a joint rather than the muscles, or is there during the day as well as at night. Other warning signs include a limp or difficulty walking, swelling, redness, warmth or tenderness over a joint, a rash, a fever, feeling generally unwell, tiredness, weight loss, or pain that is getting steadily worse or that follows an injury. Any of these mean the pain should be checked rather than assumed to be growing pains. If your child seems seriously unwell, or you are worried, contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice, and seek urgent help if a child is very unwell.

Reassurance for families

For most families, the main thing growing pains need is reassurance. They are common, harmless, and children reliably grow out of them, usually without any lasting effect. It can help to keep a simple note of when the pains happen, which legs are affected, and what your child was doing, as this makes the pattern clearer and can help your GP if you do seek advice. Comfort your child during episodes and reassure them the pain will pass and is not a sign of anything wrong. Keep everyday life as normal as possible, including activity, sport and play, which are all fine. If the pain ever changes character, becomes one-sided, or is joined by any of the warning signs, that is the time to get it checked rather than continuing to treat it as growing pains.