What are growing pains?
Growing pains are aches in the legs, felt in the muscles rather than the joints, that come in the evening or at night. The child is healthy and active, and wakes up fine the next day.
The name is misleading, because the aches do not seem to come from bones stretching. They are common in young children and usually fade with age.
What does a typical night look like?
A child plays hard all day, at the playground, on sports day or in the compound with cousins. At bedtime or later, the legs begin to ache, in the calves, thighs or behind the knees.
The aches usually come in both legs. A hug, a warm cloth or a gentle leg rub from a parent or grandparent helps. By morning, the child runs off to school as usual.
Which signs fit growing pains, and which do not?
Use this table as a guide, not a diagnosis.
| Fits growing pains | Needs a doctor |
|---|---|
| Aches in both legs | Pain in one leg only |
| Evening or night, gone by morning | Still there in the morning |
| Child walks and plays normally | Limp, or refuses to walk |
| No swelling or redness | Swollen, red or hot joint |
| Child is otherwise well | Fever, weight loss, rash or tiredness |
If any item in the right-hand column applies, see your child’s doctor before anything else. At night, if your child is in severe pain or cannot put weight on a leg, go to an emergency department such as the one at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun.
What helps at home?
Stay calm and keep it simple. Sit with your child, give a gentle leg rub and offer a warm towel on the calves. A child who feels safe settles faster.
During the day, make sure shoes fit well and give support. Stretch the calves and thighs after play. Keep your child active, because stopping play does not prevent the aches.
If you want to try a medicine, ask your doctor first for the right type and dose for your child’s age.
Could it be tired legs from sport?
Yes. A child who played futsal, badminton or football may have sore legs for plain reasons. Think of tired muscles, too much in a short time, or worn-out shoes.
The difference is the pattern. Sore legs that settle in a day or two are one thing. Pain that comes with every training session, or sits in one spot like the front of the knee or the heel, may need a closer look.
See our pages on teenage knee pain in sport and flat feet in children.
When can a physiotherapist help?
If your child has repeated leg aches along with flat feet, tight calves or an odd walk, a physiotherapist can watch how the legs work. We then give simple exercises and shoe advice.
A home visit lets us see your child in the shoes and on the floors they use every day. Read about paediatric physiotherapy in Ipoh, and check when your child’s movement needs a doctor first if you are unsure.