Warning from the specialist: leg pain that does not pass in children should not be neglected

Assume that growing pains do not prevent the child from going to school, Opr. Dr. Katırcı said: “In growing pains, pain is felt in the part of the femur close to the knee (lower part) and the part of the tibia close to the knee (upper part) or in both regions. There may be pain in the legs and sometimes also in the ankles. Growing pains are often pains that heal with simple massage and compassion for the child. There are scientific studies that show that factors such as a tense family environment and lack of love cause growing pains. The diagnosis of growing pains is made after X-ray and laboratory tests. There is no need for any activity restriction in the treatment of growing pains, a well-characterized pain that will relieve parents. “There is no need for the child to go to school or not receive physical education classes,” he said.

“Not every leg pain is caused by growth”

Saying that growing pains are of great importance in distinguishing them from other leg pains that can develop in children, Opr. Dr. Katırcı said: “Pain in the legs in children may indicate bone tumors and tumors of hematologic diseases, and it is also considered an important finding in the diagnosis of joint inflammation and rheumatic joint diseases.”

Things to keep in mind with growing pains

Noting that children may complain of the pain of various joint points in growing pains, Opr. Dr. Katırcı said: “If the pain is always in the same place, if there is swelling, tenderness and disturbance at this point, most likely this pain is not a growing pain. Another point that needs special attention in the divorce is whether the child has experienced trauma. For example, it should be learned if the child fell from a spot while playing in the park or if they were injured during sports. Sometimes conditions such as the slipping of the head of the epiphysis of the femoral head into the hip (slippage of the epiphysis of the femoral head), Perthes disease, or synovitis of the hip also cause reflected pain in the knee. However, the story is different for everyone and pain is also accompanied by dislocation.

Bone tumors and most tumors of hematologic diseases are common in childhood. Therefore, they should be excluded in the differential diagnosis. Septic arthritis (joint inflammation) is easy to distinguish from rheumatic joint disease. Tabular, history, and lab tests are helpful in differentiating these diseases. The source of the actual disease should be investigated in referred pain, especially hip and low back pain. The waist and hip region should be carefully examined, laboratory tests and x-rays should be requested if necessary.