Growing pains are seen during period of Growth Spurts in children, i.e. at age of 4-6 years and after that at age of 9-11 years in Girls & 10-12 years in Boys.
Growing pains are usually non specific without any history of trauma or infection. It is more commonly reported during late evening or bed time. Typically child complains of having severe pain in both lower limbs especially in knee and calves and demands massage of legs for relief. The exacerbations are noted especially after any unaccustomed physical activity during the day.
Parental counseling about the benign nature of this condition should be done and a diet rich in proteins, calcium and regular vitamin D supplementation is recommended. Sometimes if the pain is severe, paracetamol can be given and rarely NSAIDs would be required.
Growing pains is a diagnosis of exclusion and other causes of pain should be excluded to find out any local pathology like trauma , joint infection, transient synovitis, osteoid osteoma etc
Post Pic Credit: Children Hospital, LA
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