Leg Pain in Children: Causes and How to Soothe Growing Pains
Medically reviewed by Daniel Combs, MD
Children, from toddlers to teens, can experience leg pain. It is a common symptom that can be caused by one of several underlying issues. Leg pain can be caused by muscle or bone injury, growing pains, or even cancer.
This article will discuss the causes of leg pain. It will also cover when leg pain is serious and when to contact a healthcare provider.
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Describing Growing Pains in Children’s Legs
Growing pains are common among children ages 3 to 14. It's characterized by intermittent leg pain in the thighs, shins, calves, or back of the knees. The pain is felt in the evening or at night and is gone by the morning. It affects both legs, but not always at the same time. When a child has growing pains, there will be no redness, swelling, rash, or other abnormal physical changes to the legs.
When the medical community first identified growing pains, they were thought to be caused by a child's physical growth. However, healthcare providers now believe growing pains are not caused by growth but by increased activity that causes muscle soreness.
Leg Pain in Children That Isn’t Growing Pains
When a child has leg pains that cannot be attributed to growing pains, it can concern parents and caregivers. Below, we will cover health conditions that can cause leg pain in children. It will not cover obvious leg injuries like bone fractures.
Muscle Strain
A muscle strain is when a muscle is stretched beyond its limits and begins to tear. It is also called a pulled muscle. It causes pain, swelling, bruising, and redness at the site. Muscle strains can occur anytime but are more likely during physical activity when someone hasn't warmed up before the activity or when someone is not flexible.
A child who complains of leg pain on one side during the day or after activity may have a muscle strain. To treat a muscle strain in the affected muscle, apply ice and elevate the limb.
Low Calcium Levels
Low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) are when a child lacks adequate calcium. This can be caused by not consuming calcium, low vitamin D levels, and medical conditions.
Hypocalcemia can cause muscle cramps and bone pain in children. It's treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Another cause of leg pain in children is juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is an autoimmune condition that affects children and teens. It causes joint pain and swelling, typically in the ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. The other symptoms include:
Red, swollen joints
Fatigue
Rash
Low appetite
Fever
Blurry vision
Juvenile Viral Myositis
Juvenile myositis is a sudden onset of bilateral lower leg pain during or after a viral illness. It can cause a child to refuse to walk or walk on their tiptoes. It tends to go away on its own after three days.
In addition to leg pain, children may also have a rash over their joints, knuckles, and around their eyes.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a condition that affects teens and preteens. Gradually, over time, the ball end of the thigh bone (femur) slips backward off of the neck of the bone. This causes swelling, pain, and hip instability.
SCFE is diagnosed through a physical exam and X-rays. Treatment involves surgery to stop the femur head from slipping further.
Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer. It is very rare but is the most common type of bone cancer in children. It tends to grow at the bottom of the femur and top of the tibia. Children with osteosarcoma will have pain and swelling at the site of the tumor, pain during activity or at night, and a bump in the area of the tumor.
An osteosarcoma diagnosis will require blood tests, scans, and a biopsy. Treatment will vary based on the staging and other variables.
Osgood Schlatter Disease
Osgood Schlatter disease is a condition that causes knee pain in children. It causes inflammation below the knee, where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia.
The condition typically occurs during childhood growth spurts as the muscles, bones, and tendons quickly change. A child is at higher risk for Osgood Schlatter disease when participating in physical activities as it causes additional stress on the knees.
Osgood Schlatter disease treatment includes rest, ice, stretching, and strengthening exercises.
Why Do Children Feel Leg Pain at Night?
Leg pain can be felt at night for various reasons.
Children with growing pains will feel pain at night from the physical activity they participated in during the day.
For other conditions, leg pain may be felt at night when the child is quiet, and there are no distractions from the pain.
Serious Leg Pain Symptoms
When a child is experiencing leg pain, it can be difficult to know what is serious and what is not. Here are signs that a child's leg pain is serious:
They cannot or are unwilling to walk
Weight loss or loss of appetite
Pain that does not get better or worsens
Swelling, redness, or joint pain
How to Care for Children With Leg Pain
Leg pain in children will be cared for based on the underlying cause.
For children with growing pains, reassuring the child that the pain is temporary and will go away is helpful. In the meantime, treatments to alleviate pain can include:
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Massage
Heating pad
For other causes of leg pain, it's important to follow a healthcare provider's treatment instructions.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Anytime a child experiences leg pain, it can be distressing for the child and caregiver.
Contact a healthcare provider when a child is young and unable to express their pain and describe it. The provider can assess the situation and determine what, if any, treatment is necessary.
Other reasons to see a healthcare provider are:
Leg injury
Pain that worsens or does not go away
Pain that causes the child to limp or makes them unable to walk
Swelling or redness
Loss of appetite or weight loss
Summary
When a child complains about leg pain, it can be difficult to determine if the pain is serious. The child may have difficulty describing the pain and articulating what makes it better or worse. It could be a muscle strain, growing pains, or even a tumor.
It's a good idea to contact a healthcare provider for an evaluation to determine the underlying cause of pain and determine the best treatment plan.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
