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Growing up can be quite painful When he was 10 years old, Troy Burr started limping as he walked around the house. He didn’t complain about pain, and since he was an active kid involved in sports and experiencing recent growth spurts, his parents chalked it up to growing pains. If you haven’t experienced them yourself, you may wonder, is there really such a thing as growing pains, or is just an umbrella term that parents everywhere toss around to cover all the physical and emotional stings that kids encounter on their way to maturity? The fact is, growing pains are a legitimate physical condition that affect about 25% of all kids during their preteen years, according to Dr. Robin Steinberg-Epstein, a pediatrician at UC I Medical Center. However, contrary to what parents might think, they are not necessarily linked to growth spurts, which don’t usually occur until ages 12-14 in boys, and ages 10- 12 in girls. Unfortunately, growing pains can actually strike kids twice during their physical development; during the early childhood years between 3 and 5, and again in the preteen years between 8 and 12 years of age. And it’s an equal opportunity inconvenience, affecting about the same number of boys and girls. “Growing pains are most likely the result of normal daily activities, so kids tend to notice it at the end of the day or when they’re sleeping, especially if overuse occurred,” explains Dr. Steinberg-Epstein. What are some of the telltale signs that your child is experiencing growing pains? Listen for complaints about leg pains during late afternoon or evening hours, or intense cramps that may even wake your child up while he or she is sleeping. Growing pains typically affect the muscles of both legs simultaneously, so common areas center around the front mid-thigh area, back of the calves and even behind the knees. Another symptom that signals growing pains is inconsistency. For example, a child may complain about pain for few days in a row, then suddenly be fine, with no more complaints for a few weeks, months or possibly ever again. Growing pains can linger for up to two years, but usually only act up occasionally for periods up to 15 minutes. Treatment for growing pains is simple, says Dr. Steinberg-Epstein. One of the key things kids can do to alleviate the condition is to take the time to properly stretch before they participate in any sports practices or other physical activities. (See inset for suggestions.) When the pain occurs, try massaging the area, applying a hot compress, or giving your child a weight- appropriate dose of Tylenol or Motrin. “Growing pains shouldn’t stop your child from doing normal activities,” says Dr. Steinberg-Epstein. “If they don’t want to do something (because of the pain), it’s probably worth a visit to the doctor.” Professionals refer to growing pains as a diagnosis of exclusion, which means there are several things that need to be ruled out beforehand. If your child experiences persistent pain, leg swelling, redness around the joints, fever, limping, or pain in just one leg, you should seek a doctor’s advice. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia and other growing disorders can sometimes initially present symptoms similar to growing pains. In the case of Troy Burr, he was diagnosed with Severs disease, a common problem that in his case resulted from rapid foot growth, causing his heel plate and heel muscle to separate. It’s something that he will outgrow by the time he’s 15, and for now is treated with Ibuprofen, rubber inserts for his shoes and a temporary hold on sports activities. Just like traditional growing pains, it will pass soon and may even be a little easier to live with than that other type of growing pain – the emotional one. Michele Piazzoni is a regular contributor. |
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