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Growing pains

Dolores crescentium · Růstové bolesti

What it is

Aching legs at night in children aged 3–12; harmless and outgrown, and misnamed — growth is not the cause.

Symptoms & signs

  • Aching or throbbing in both legs at night
  • thighs, calves or behind the knees
  • gone by morning
  • no limp or swelling

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Painful, hot, swollen joint with fever
  • see a doctor soon Pain in one leg only or in the same spot every time
  • see a doctor soon Limp or pain in the daytime too
  • see a doctor soon Night sweats, weight loss, bruising or pale skin

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Examination to exclude other causes
  • reassurance
  • massage and heat
  • paracetamol or ibuprofen on bad nights

Natural & lifestyle

  • Stretching before bed
  • active days

Emerging & experimental

  • Studies of vitamin D and pain thresholds

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Vitamin D — a small study cut pain in deficient children early / small studies
  • Magnesium — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional
  • Massage — soothing; supported in practice early / small studies

ICD codes