Growing pains is a phrase you may hear as a parent, when speaking to
other Mums and Dads or visiting the GP with your Son or Daughter. As children
develop they may complain of having sore legs, that feel tight and ache,
particularly more in the evening and this may sometimes be attributed to
growing pains.
According to NHS England, growing pains may be experienced in children
from the age of 3 years to 12 years of age and they should not affect their
ability to walk or partake in physical activity. The exact cause of growing
pains is unknown and can’t be attributed to a growth spurt. Treatment for
growing pains advised by the NHS is the use of pain killers or
anti-inflammatories, gentle massage to the muscles of the legs, applying heat
and supportive footwear.
Other conditions that may lead to your child experiencing pain in the
legs are:
i) Osgood Schlatters Disease ii)
Chondromalacia Patellae and iii) Infrapatellar Tendinitis.
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Osgood
Schlatters Disease
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Cause:
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Generally caused by overuse, although
there are certain factors that may contribute. Such as;
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Age – Typically affects boys aged between 13 – 15 years
of age. Girls may also be affected, but more typically around the ages of 10
– 12 years of age.
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Activity
– As the bones of a
young active child develop, the muscles and tendons can take a little more
time to catch up to the same point. These developmental changes result in a
pulling force on the tibial tuberosity (bony prominence at the top of your
shin bone) where the patellar tendon attaches. This may cause the area to become painful,
swollen and inflamed. Frequent in younger children that often do a lot of running
and jumping activities, as their bones are still soft and not yet fully
grown.
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Treatment:
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Rest – continue to exercise, but in a pain free range.
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Ice; apply cold therapy to the local area of pain and swelling
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NSAID’s; the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication e.g. Ibuprofen.
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Gentle stretching and massage of the quadriceps/thigh muscles. This
may be helpful when the area is no longer painful.
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Chondromalacia
Patellae
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Cause:
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Commonly caused by inflammation of the retro-patella cartilage/behind
the knee cap. The exact cause is unknown; however, it is thought that contact
between the patella and the end of the femur/thigh bone may cause friction
and damage to the cartilage. Contributing factors may be;
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Gender
– It is thought to
be more common in young girls more than boys. This may be due to the slight
increase in Q angle, which is the angle between the hip and the knee.
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Sports – Overuse of the knees in certain sports
i.e. ones that involve a lot of running, jumping and changes in direction.
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Symptoms:
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Pain around the knee, typically at the front of the knee or
around/behind the knee cap. Aggravating factors tend to be going up or down
stairs and sitting for a prolonged time with the knees bent.
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May experience a grinding or grating feeling or noise when moving the
knee.
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Swelling of the knee joint, however this is rare.
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Treatment:
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Avoidance; avoiding strenuous activity until the pain improves.
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Pain relief; the GP may advise pain relief or NSAID’s e.g. paracetamol
or Ibuprofen.
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Strengthening exercises; these may help to correct muscle imbalance
issues and improve the movement of the knee cap.
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Infrapatellar
Tendonitis
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Cause:
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A condition that occurs due to inflammation and irritation of the
patella tendon. It is commonly referred to as “jumper’s knee” and seen in
young athletes who partake in sports that require a lot of repetitive jumping
i.e. basketball and volleyball. It may also be seen in runners and other
athletes.
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Patella tendinosis is a chronic condition. Instead of the tendon
appearing irritated and inflamed, the condition is more gradual in
development and is characterised by micro tears and thickening of the tendon.
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Symptoms:
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Pain directly over the tendon itself
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Tendon may appear tender and swollen, with the experience of a
crunching sensation on movement.
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Difficulty in certain activities such as, jumping or kneeling.
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Treatment:
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Rest; is the first and most important step. It is important to avoid
activities that aggravate the problem.
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NSAID’s; the GP may provide anti0-inflammatories to help reduce the
pain and inflammation.
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Ice; applying local ice to the sight of pain and inflammation will
help reduce swelling and aid the healing process.
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Stretching; quadriceps, hamstring and calf stretches pre-and post-activity
will help to prepare the area for activity and soften the muscles after. This
is a good habit to get into, as it helps maintain optimal function.
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At WeaverHouse we offer free 15 minute
Osteopathic assessments to patients of all ages.
If
you would like to discuss any queries around the issues raised or bring your
child in for a free check,
Please contact the clinic on 01270 629933
