Growth pain is a common phenomenon in children, characterized by leg pain without any obvious cause. Let's look at the symptoms, causes and possible treatments for growth pain.
Symptoms of growth pain:
- Pain occurs mainly at night or at night, while the child is not in pain during the day.
- Pain is usually felt in both legs, sometimes also in other parts of the body.
- The pain can be so severe that the child wakes up or cannot sleep.
- The pain usually disappears after a few minutes to several hours, but can return after a couple of days.
- Growth pain is not seasonal and usually disappears after several weeks to months.
Causes of growth pain:
The exact cause of growth pain is unknown, but several theories have been suggested:
- Increase in growth hormones shortly after sleep.
- Stretch on muscles due to faster bone growth.
- Fatigue of muscles after physical activity.
- Wrong posture or joint abnormalities.
- Hypermobility of joints.
- Lower pain threshold or psychological factors.
- Possible association with restless leg syndrome or familial predisposition.
What to do with growth pain:
Growth pain is generally not severe and disappears automatically. Some possible treatments include:
- Light massage or rub with a warm or cold cloth.
- Bedtime stretching exercises.
- A warm bath before bedtime.
- In some cases, painkiller such as paracetamol may be considered, but consult a doctor first.
If a doctor is consulted:
It is advisable to consult a doctor if:
- Pain persists during day or exercise.
- The pain is accompanied by joint pain, movement restriction, or visible abnormalities.
- Fever occurs along with pain.
- The child is under 3 years old.
Understanding the symptoms and possible treatments of growth pain allows parents to respond adequately and allow serious causes to be treated in a timely manner.
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