Leg Pains in My Child.....

Where specifically is she having the pain, is it joint pain? My son was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when he was 4. He had a bad bout of strep and kept complaining of pain in his legs. Thankfully we have a wonderful pediatrician and she ordered more tests and found some inflammation and referred us to a rheumatologist. He has been in remission for 2 years.

It really could just be growing pains; however, if your gut is telling you different then get a second opinion from a different physician. My oldest daughter gets growing pains, too, but they come and go..she'll have them for a few weeks then not again for awhile. You'll feel better if you have her checked out by someone else, maybe an orthopedist?

My 5yr old daughter has the same problem and I was concerned too because she would cry and not be able to sleep. She has had them since she was 2 1/2 or so and they come and go. It might be a few times a week for a week or two and then not at all for a few weeks. I have noticed that they correlate with her growth spurts. She likes to be measured frequently so it's easy to keep track. ;-)

I asked our Dr about them and she said that if the pain is in different places on the leg or one time it's one leg the next time it's the other, then it is most likely growing pains. She said if it is always the same leg in the same place, we'd need to do further tests. Whenever my daughter has them I ask her to use one finger to point to where the pain is so I can keep track. Sometimes it's the area around her knee caps, sometimes it's the muscles above or below. Tylenol usually helps her. I'm glad you wrote this question though, because I was wondering how common this was. Sounds like it's fairly common.

Best-
A.

M. H.
I understand my son had growing pains as well. It sounds like she will be a tall child. Usually, being in the 90 percentile for height is a good indicator. If not then something else may be happening.

First, try to have her excerise, this seemed to help my son, do a LOT of streching exercises like YOGA,(both my sons will be tall- my oldest is 19 and is 6ft and my son who is 9 is already 5ft tall--he does YOGA and does not complain as his brother did at his age. Both boys were told to me by the doctors would be over 6 ft tall).

What happens is the tendons stretch out and then the muscles grow (at least this is what I was told) that then causes pain and swelling. It can also help to take warm to hot baths nightly to help relieve the tension some. EPSOM SALT works too, nightly! Along with Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary, (try the new Johnson's bath in a pink bottle this has most of what is need to soothe)
It may take a few weeks to work completely but it is worth a try.
There are YOGA for kids tapes or get the Jane Fonda one, it is very slow and controlled and not as difficult as some other tapes slated for beginners--I have quite afew as I too do Yoga.
Walking as well as bike riding can help.
Try anything and everything YOU KNOW of to stretch. Denise Austin has some great ones that really help.

Add more calcium to diet( but too much can cause calcium depsoits that are painful as well), as well as fiber & limit the sugars that cause the legs to spasam. Try whole foods and start to take out so much meat or poultry, unless you get it fresh. The steriods that we use in our foods have caused problems for not only children but for ourselves. This has been linked to so much growth in children-- ie the GIANT EFFECT.
Make a food journal for the child to see what is affecting the pains both good and bad.
It may help for their children later on.

Also, yes they can get more medicines like motrin--the Asprin in motrin reduces the swelling,hence the pain goes down. BUT do not give it and try nothing else. If you exercise you will need FAR LESS medicine.

Good luck, I hope this helps you.
C.

i had a simular problem with my son. he would wake up in the middle of the night screeming with pain in his knee and nothing could i do to relieve his pain. he was 8 yrs old at the time and the doctor as well told me it was just growing pains. he is now 10 and havent heard him complain of it since he turned nine. just wanted to let you know you arnt the only one.

Hi M.,

I agree with Sharon...it sounds like a mineral deficeincy. Try giving her a GOOD Supplement from a reputatable company...not from the drug store. Sharon may know of a GOOD Company.

I know that some people get leg cramps due to lack of potassium... Bananas do help - that's what I had to eat during my pregnancy. ALso, there are homeopathic remedies for growing pains. My boss' daughter had them and took the remedy. Check your local Wild Oats store or natural foods store.. they will have anything you need.

Hey M.,
My now 11 year old was a fast grower still is. She had leg pain a lot, it never woke her up at night that I remember. If your dr doesn't take this seriously I would find a dr who would do a full work up on your daughter just to rule things out. It doesn't sound like anything I am familiar with since it has been oing on for so long with no other problems but still it is better safe than sorry. If you live in the cincinnati area I really like northeast cincinnati pediatrics.
Best of luck,
J.

When I was young the exact same thing would happen to me, and my mother would get a towel drench it in hot water (rubber gloves) ring it out and put it on my legs until it quit, and sometimes just walking around on it helped too! The doctor always said it was due to me growing so rapidly in such a short period. I woke my mother up many nites, and she'd never complain, and I out grew it. My build is long legs and slender, maybe that's how my body reacted to the rapid growth spruts. Your daughter will out grow it, I'm now 41, and it's hard to remember when I did??
Good Luck!

my son had the same thing going on when he was around 3. he would wake up at night screaming in pain. this lasted for about 6 months then it just went away. i would have to take him to a specialist if it was going on that long. the doctor told me it was growing pain and would go away after a short time but anything longer than that iwould have looked at in more detail. i know its fustrating but there was not one thing to make him feel better i would just rub his legs and hold him. nothing eased the pain.

M., try Calcium supplements or a good tall glass of milk. I used to experience this regularly and milk was an immediate help. Infinite Blessings! Kristy

i use to have really bad back problems and i started seeing a chiropractor and it really helped my 15 mth also sees him and has since she was 3 days old she had acid reflux and the adjustments really helped. if its something with her back or hips thats causing the pain it might be a pinched nerve and the chiropracter would be able to fix it i would try it first it might help and i know i hate giving my kid medicine and this way you don't have to. you can email me if you have any questions. ____@____.com i would be happy to answer anything you want to ask!

Have you talked to her pediatrician and possibly your doctor about RLS - Restless Leg Syndrome. My mom has it and it wakes her out of a dead sleep and then she can't sleep.

C. N.

Hi M.,
Yes, I can tell you what it most likely is - a deficiency in minerals. I can also tell you the best ones to buy and where to get them if you're interested.

Hi M.,
I used to have really bad shin splints when i was younger i did a lot of dance and cheerleading and had to quit because the pain was so bad! where does your daughters legs hurt at cause if its in her shins i would ask her doctor if it could be that.my mom would spend hours rubbing alcohol(grandmas remedy) on my legs and putting ice on them.if it is shin splints don't put anything warm on it cause its an inflammatory condition and heat only makes it hurt worse! i had to buy new shoes alot because once the heel of the shoe started to wear down my shins would act up also when i was younger i would turn my ankles in a little when i walked and i guess that had alot to do with it.as i got older it got better i barely get them now only if i run on pavement.i would definately talk to her doctor again cause it is very painful! sorry this is so long hope you get some relief soon!!
best wishes,
I.

I recommend going to Chiropractor Dr. Brett Blitzstein ###-###-####. He does a NO Cracking techinique, more like a massage and Kids LOVE him. He has a standard "pay what you can afford policy", no questions asked, He just wants to help his patients, so he does not require a certain amount of money. Because of this, he can not afford a receptionist, so if you call and get an answering machine, leave a message he will call back. He does have a nice office that is clean. He is in Powell, we drive 40 minutes to him because he is so great. He is great with growing pains and leg pains and everything else.