Growing pain: symptoms and how to relieve

Osgood-Schlatter's disease, also called Growth Pain, is characterized by pain that arises in the leg, near the knee, in children around 3 to 10 years old. This pain occurs most often just below the knee but can extend to the ankle, especially at night and during physical activity.

Growth pain is believed to be a consequence of faster bone growth than muscle growth, which causes micro-trauma to the quadriceps tendon, which occur when the child goes through a 'stretch' period, when it grows a lot fast. This is not exactly a disease, and does not need specific treatment, but it causes discomfort, requiring an evaluation by the pediatrician.

The most common is the appearance of pain only in the leg and near the knee, but some children may have this same pain in their arms, and still have a headache at the same time.

Symptoms

Growth pain causes pain and discomfort, especially at the end of the day, after the child has done physical activity, jumped or jumped. The characteristics are:

Pain in the front of the leg, near the knee (most common); Pain in the arms, near the elbow (less common); There may be headache.

The pain in these places usually lasts for 1 week, and then disappears completely for a few months, until after it returns. This cycle can be repeated during childhood and adolescence.

Usually the doctor comes to your diagnosis only by observing the child's characteristics and listening to their complaints, and very rarely it is necessary to perform tests, however the doctor may order an x-ray or blood test to exclude the chances of other diseases or fractures., for example.

How to fight knee and leg pain

As a form of treatment, parents can massage the sore spot with a little moisturizer, and then an ice pack wrapped in a diaper or thin tissue can be placed for 20 minutes to reduce the pain. In days of crisis, rest is also recommended, avoiding strenuous physical activity.

Exercises to relieve pain

Some stretching exercises that can help relieve leg pain are:

Usually the pain goes away over the years, and when the teenager reaches his maximum height at around 18 years old the pain disappears completely.

While the child is still growing, pain can arise, especially after practicing activities with more impact, such as playing football, jiu-jitsu or others that involve running. Thus, it is more appropriate for the child with growth pain to avoid this type of activity, preferring something with less impact such as swimming and Yoga.

When to take medicine

Usually, the doctor does not recommend taking medication to fight growing pain, because children and adolescents should not take medication unnecessarily. Massaging the place, putting ice and resting are sufficient measures to control the pain and feel better. However, when the pain is strenuous or when the child is a competing athlete, your doctor may recommend medications.