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Growing pains are leg pains that are common among rapidly
growing children and teens. These pains are probably caused by differences in
growth rates of muscle, bone, and soft tissue.
typically occur in the thighs or calves. They can last an hour or two at a time
and can awaken a child from sleep, but they usually produce no ill effects in
Growing pains do not occur with other symptoms of
illness, such as fever or swelling, and are not considered harmful. The
symptoms disappear over time.
Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol),
warm packs, and massage often help relieve the discomfort of growing pains. A
person younger than age 20 should never be given aspirin because of the risk of
developing Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
June 27, 2012
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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