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Are growing pains a myth?
1Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Western Australia.
Australian Family Physician
|February 27, 1999
Summary
Growing pains are common in children but not caused by growth. Management involves simple pain relief and parental reassurance, as it is not a serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Musculoskeletal Health
- Childhood Conditions
Background:
- Growing pains represent the most frequent musculoskeletal complaint in pediatric patients.
- This condition affects healthy, typically developing young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current scientific understanding of growing pains.
- To outline a practical strategy for diagnosing and managing growing pains in children.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on growing pains.
- Clinical guidelines synthesis for diagnosis and management.
Main Results:
- Growing pains are a recognized medical term, distinct from actual bone or muscle growth.
- Symptoms typically manifest nocturnally, causing intense, short-lived leg pain (knees, thighs, calves, shins).
Conclusions:
- Despite the name, growing pains are not linked to the physical process of growth.
- Effective management includes basic analgesics and parental reassurance regarding the benign nature of the condition.