Growing pains affect 37% of children in the 4-6 years of age. Pain develops at night and interestingly, there is no pain during the day or with exercise and the leg appears normal.
Growing pains have a 70% family history and the exact cause continues to baffle researchers with many possible causes. Some of the older theories include poor posture, muscle fatigue from toxins that build up after activity, and psychological. Recently newer theories have developed showing children with growing pains have a lower pain threshold and decreased bone strength. Conditions such as tumours, inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis) or bone/tissue infection must be excluded in the assessment.
When growing pains have been diagnosed the best treatments show that stretching of the calves, thigh and hamstrings should be started before massage and panadol.
Bigfoot provide assessments for children at specialist childrens footwear stores Future Feet and Stomp Kids Shoes. For the best treatment call our Northcote or Howick clinic to make an appointment with one of our podiatrists who specialises in children.
