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Children Leg Pains
It's a story we hear frequently from worried parents: Their child has leg pains that come and go. The parent can't see anything wrong, but the pain makes the child miserable. Sometimes it's bad enough to wake the child from sleep.
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"Growing pains" are very common. They affect up to a third of children. They peak at around age 6. The pains usually occur once or twice a week, but they can happen every day. Between episodes, the child is pain-free. These pains usually:
* Affect both legs but not usually both at once
* Seem to come from the muscles rather than the joints
* Occur in the lower legs
* Come on suddenly, usually in the late afternoon or at night
* Are not associated with redness, swelling or any other physical signs
These pains eventually go away on their own by the time a child becomes a teen. In the meantime, there are some things that parents can do to help:
* Try massage – Rubbing the affected area can make a difference.
* Apply heat – Buy a heating pad, and have it handy.
* Give ibuprofen or acetaminophen – Check with your doctor for the correct dose. Remember: Never give aspirin to children.
* Stay calm – The pain is real and can be scary for children. It's important to soothe the child. Let them know that you are going to be with them and that the pain is going to go away.
* Watch for triggers – Some parents can predict when the pains are going to come, based on their child's activity or mood. I certainly would never want to limit a child's activity, but a warm bath or some ibuprofen before bedtime may help ward off the pain.
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EMPLOYEE
I’m
confident
"Growing pains" are very common. They affect up to a third of children. They peak at around age 6. The pains usually occur once or twice a week, but they can happen every day. Between episodes, the child is pain-free. These pains usually:
* Affect both legs but not usually both at once
* Seem to come from the muscles rather than the joints
* Occur in the lower legs
* Come on suddenly, usually in the late afternoon or at night
* Are not associated with redness, swelling or any other physical signs
These pains eventually go away on their own by the time a child becomes a teen. In the meantime, there are some things that parents can do to help:
* Try massage – Rubbing the affected area can make a difference.
* Apply heat – Buy a heating pad, and have it handy.
* Give ibuprofen or acetaminophen – Check with your doctor for the correct dose. Remember: Never give aspirin to children.
* Stay calm – The pain is real and can be scary for children. It's important to soothe the child. Let them know that you are going to be with them and that the pain is going to go away.
* Watch for triggers – Some parents can predict when the pains are going to come, based on their child's activity or mood. I certainly would never want to limit a child's activity, but a warm bath or some ibuprofen before bedtime may help ward off the pain.Comment -
