recovery after growth

Overview

Recovery after growth, often called growing pains, is the normal period children experience when their body is stretching and growing quickly. During this time, some children feel a harmless ache or discomfort in their legs, especially in the evening or at night. It is not a disease, and your child will feel back to normal after the growth spurt.

Yes. Around one in three children will have growing pains at some point.

Growing pains most often appear during preschool and early school years, and may be more noticeable in active children.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• An aching or throbbing feeling in the thighs, calves, or behind the knees.
• Pain that usually occurs in both legs at the same time.
• Discomfort that starts in the late afternoon or evening and is gone by morning.
• Your child may wake up at night with pain, but appears fine the next day.

Symptoms in children

• Children may rub or massage their own legs.
• They may ask for a cuddle or comfort.
• Pain may get worse after an active day or on days with lots of running and jumping.

Causes

Main causes

• Rapid growth of bones, muscles, and tissues during a growth spurt.
• Muscle tiredness from increased physical activity.
• The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is likely related to how the growing body uses energy.

Risk factors

• Being very active or trying a new sport.
• A parent or sibling who also had growing pains.
• Age between 3 and 12 years.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Your child is limping or avoiding walking.
• Pain is severe and wakes your child every night.
• Pain is only in one leg or joint.
• Swelling, redness, or a warm area appears.

Book a routine appointment if:

• You have any concerns about your child's leg pain.
• Pain continues for several weeks or keeps coming back.
• Your child has a fever or other signs of illness.

Diagnosis

There is no specific test for growing pains. A doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and do a gentle physical exam. The diagnosis is based on the typical pattern of pain and the fact that your child seems otherwise healthy.

Tests that may be done

• Usually no tests are needed. If the doctor suspects another condition, they may suggest blood tests, X-rays, or other imaging to check the bones and joints.

What to expect at your appointment

The doctor will watch your child walk, check both legs for tenderness, and ask when the pain happens. They will reassure you if they think it is growing pains and may suggest ways to make your child comfortable.

Treatment

There is no cure needed because growing pains are a normal part of childhood. Treatment focuses on comfort and reassurance. Your child can continue normal activities.

Self-care at home

• Gently massage your child's legs before bed.
• Use a warm towel or heat pack (wrapped in cloth) for a few minutes on sore muscles.
• Help your child stretch their calf and thigh muscles in the morning.
• A warm bath before bedtime can relax muscles.
• A quiet story or gentle distraction if pain wakes them in the night.

Medical treatments

If your child is very uncomfortable and simple comfort measures aren't enough, a healthcare professional may suggest a suitable pain reliever for occasional use. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist what is safe for your child's age and weight, and never give medicines without checking.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is never needed for growing pains.

Living with this condition

Growing pains come and go throughout childhood. Keep your child's routine normal and keep activities fun. If pain interrupts sleep, take a few minutes to comfort them, then guide them back to bed. Reassure your child that the pain will go away.

Lifestyle tips

• Encourage regular physical activity but include rest days.
• Make sure your child drinks enough water through the day.
• Keep a calm bedtime routine to help everyone sleep.

Diet and exercise

No special diet is needed for growing pains. A balanced diet with plenty of calcium (milk, yoghurt, leafy vegetables) and vitamin D (sunshine, eggs) supports strong bones. For exercise, active play is fine, but include stretching after sports.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Growing pains themselves do not harm mental health, but anxiety or poor sleep can follow repeated pain. A warm, reassuring response from parents makes a big difference. If your child seems very anxious about the pain, speak with your healthcare provider.

Prevention

You cannot prevent growth spurts, but helping your child warm up before exercise and stretch afterwards may reduce muscle soreness. Keeping your child at a healthy weight also reduces strain on growing bones.

Vaccines

Vaccinations are not related to growing pains, but keeping up with your child’s routine childhood immunisations helps them stay healthy overall.

Screening programmes

No special screening is needed. Well-child checks are enough to monitor growth and development.

Complications

If left untreated

• There are no serious complications from untreated growing pains. They are a normal phase of growth.

Long-term outlook

The outlook is excellent. Most children stop having growing pains by their early teenage years. They have no lasting effects on bones, muscles, or long-term health. With comfort and reassurance, your child will recover fully after each growth spurt.

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