Night Leg Cramps

Does your child complain of achy legs? If he is not sick or does not have a fever, he may have growing pains.

Growing pains are muscle aches children experience in their legs, usually late in the day and at night.

Child Leg Pain: It May Be Growing Pains

They typically occur between the ages of 3 to12 years of age or typically around a growth spurt period. It is not a disease, nor is there evidence that the process of bone growth causes pain. However, growing pains tend to cease when children stop growing. By the teenage years growing pains seem to stop.

Growing pains is thought to occur in 1/3 of all children. Usually the pain is in the front of the thigh, the calf muscles, and muscles behind the knee. Growing pains almost always occur in both legs.

Some physicians believe growing pains occur because children are very active and hard on their musculoskeletal systems while they are still growing. It is thought children experience growing pains at night due to the overuse of the muscles during the day. The pains usually start right before bedtime. However, some kids go to bed without any pain only to be awakened in the middle of night with aches. The pains normally go away by morning.

Growing pains usually can be relieved by daily stretching exercises and massages. Stretch the muscle by pushing the foot and toes upward as far as they will go and then gently massage the calf and upper thigh muscles. A moist heating pad may also help. Do this a few times a day. Continue the exercises even after the pain subsides in order to keep the muscles relaxed.

Some physicians suggest giving a glass of tonic water (quinine) before bed. While I do not know of any studies regarding its effectiveness, it won’t hurt to give tonic water a try.

Make sure your child is getting enough calcium, iron and potassium. Also make sure he is drinking plnty of fluids. This can help avoid any cramping associated with the pains.

Give your child ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Aspirin should be avoided in young children because of Reyes syndrome.

Call your doctor if:

If it happens every night it may be due to restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition in which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while you’re sitting or lying down.

Swollen joints which are hot to the touch or red and tender

Pain is in only one leg, limping

Movement increases the pain

Touch increases the pain

Fever, Unexplained rash

persistent pain, pain worsening over time, pain in the morning

pain associated with an injury

loss of appetite and weight loss

weakness, tiredness

uncharacteristic behavior

If you’re concerned about leg pain or discomfort that your child is experiencing, consult your doctor.

Author: Kaaryn Walker

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