“Growing pains” is a harmless condition of unknown cause that affects 10 percent to 20 percent of growing children. It’s somewhat more common in girls. Despite the name, growing pains:
- Do not occur during the time of most rapid growth, such as the adolescent growth spurt.
- Do not occur at specific sites of growth.
- Do not affect the growth of children who have them.
- Occur in children 3 to 12 years of age.
About one-third of children with growing pains also experience other forms of recurrent pain, such as headaches or abdominal pain.
Symptoms of Growing Pains
- Pain usually occurs in both legs, especially thighs and calves, but may affect one leg at a time or different parts of the leg at different times. Pain in the arms is less common, but may occur along with leg pain. If the pain is localized to a single specific joint, it’s probably not growing pains.
- Pain occurs almost exclusively in the evenings and at night, often causing awakening during the night.
- Pain does not occur consistently during daytime activities or interfere with usual playground, recreational or sports activities. However, children may complain more frequently during nights that follow very active days.
- Growing pains do not cause limping.
- Pain may occur for months or years, as frequently as almost every night, often with symptom-free intervals of weeks or months. Symptoms may wax and wane but usually remain stable with time. Most children outgrow growing pains within several years.
- Children with growing pains have normal physical exam results. The results of X-rays and lab tests, although usually not needed, are also normal.
- Stretching the legs’ large muscle groups—as the calves and thighs—can lessen symptoms, but is often impractical for young children. To ease discomfort, try a massage, heating pad or a mild nonprescription pain medication.
Symptoms Unrelated to Growing Pains
If your child has any of the following symptoms, it’s probably not growing pains:
- Symptoms of general illness, such as fever or weight loss.
- Pain specific to a single joint.
- Pain worsening with time.
- Pain interfering with usual daytime activities.
- Limping.
- Abnormal joint symptoms, such as restricted motion, redness, swelling, warmth or tenderness in the related area.
Reviewed by: Elizabeth W. Lee, M.D.
Last reviewed: August 2019