Growing Pain

What is Leg Cramp?

Growing pains are often described as an ache or throb in the legs — often in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Growing pains tend to affect both legs and occur at night, and may even wake a child from sleep.

Although these pains are called growing pains, there's no evidence that growth hurts. Growing pains may be linked to a lowered pain threshold or, in some cases, to psychological issues.

बढ़ते दर्द को अक्सर पैरों में दर्द या धड़कन के रूप में वर्णित किया जाता है - अक्सर जांघों के सामने, बछड़ों या घुटनों के पीछे। बढ़ते दर्द दोनों पैरों को प्रभावित करते हैं और रात में होते हैं, और यहां तक ​​कि बच्चे को नींद से जगा सकते हैं।

हालांकि इन दर्दों को बढ़ते हुए दर्द कहा जाता है, लेकिन इस बात का कोई सबूत नहीं है कि विकास में दर्द होता है। बढ़ते दर्द को कम दर्द दहलीज या कुछ मामलों में मनोवैज्ञानिक मुद्दों से जोड़ा जा सकता है।



Symptoms of Leg Cramp?

Growing pains usually cause an aching or throbbing feeling in the legs. This pain often occurs in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Usually both legs hurt. Some children may also experience abdominal pain or headaches during episodes of growing pains. The pain doesn't occur every day. It comes and goes.

Growing pains often strike in the late afternoon or early evening and disappear by morning. Sometimes the pain awakens a child in the middle of the night.


Causes of Leg Cramps?

The cause of growing pains is unknown. But there's no evidence that a child's growth is painful.

Growing pains don't usually happen where growth is occurring or during times of rapid growth. It's been suggested that growing pains may be linked to restless legs syndrome. But muscle pain at night from overuse during the day is thought to be the most likely cause of growing pains. Overuse from activities such as running, climbing and jumping can be hard on a child's musculoskeletal system.


When to See a Doctor?

Consult your child's care provider if you're concerned about your child's leg pain or the pain is:

  • Persistent

  • Still present in the morning

  • Severe enough to interfere with your child's usual activities

  • Located in the joints

  • Associated with an injury

  • Accompanied by other signs or symptoms, such as swelling, redness, tenderness, fever, limping, rash, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue


Treatment of Leg Cramps?

Certain home remedies may ease discomfort:

  • Rub your child's legs. Children often respond to gentle massage. Others feel better when they're held or cuddled.

  • Use a heating pad. Heat can help soothe sore muscles. Use a heating pad on a low setting before bedtime or when your child complains of leg pain. Remove the heating pad once your child falls asleep. A warm bath before bedtime may help, too.

  • Try a pain reliever. Offer your child ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Motrin, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Avoid aspirin, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome — a rare but serious condition linked to giving aspirin to children.

  • Stretching exercises. Stretching the muscles in the legs during the day may help prevent pain at night. Ask your doctor what stretches might help.