What can cause joint pains in children?
When a child complains of joint or leg pains, parents or caregivers may be concerned. Usually, the discomfort will simply be growing pains that will go away on their own. However, people should be aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate something more serious.
Growing pains are a common cause of leg pain in children. These pains are muscle aches that can occur in the thighs, behind the knees, or the calves.
Other possible causes of leg pain that may be more serious can include juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), lupus, Lyme disease, and leukemia.
In this article, we look at what we commonly refer to as 'growing pains,' what they are, and how people can treat them at home. We also cover other possible causes of joint pains in children and when to see a doctor.
What are growing pains?
Research suggests that more than 30 percent of school children experience chronic musculoskeletal pain. In around half of these children, the pain is due to growing pains.
Growing pains most often occur during a child's preschool and preteen years, and they usually disappear by their teenage years. These pains are harmless and are not a sign of a serious condition.
Growing pains typically occur in the thigh and calf muscles or behind the knees, but sometimes can also happen in the arms. Children with these types of youthful pains may experience cramps or aches that can range from mild to severe.
Characteristics of growing pains may include:
- they occur in the evening or night and typically resolving by morning
- they are severe enough to wake a child from sleep
- they usually affect both legs rather than one
- they happen intermittently or several nights in a row
- they are often accompanied by headaches or abdominal pain
People used to think that growing pains were the result of the bones growing during growth spurts. However, doctors no longer believe this to be the case, as there is no evidence that growth causes pain.
Growing pains may simply be aches that result from children running, jumping, and climbing while playing, during the day.
Growing pains may also be related to other factors, such as fatigue, restless leg syndrome, low pain tolerance, or even vitamin D deficiency.
