5 year old complaining of leg pains

[sml]

My daughter complains several times a day that her leg (either one, I think) is hurting, and the pain seems to go away after a minute or so. I don't think it is made up. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Can a 5 year old get growing pains or cramp, and if so why?

[Tinker]

sml - I think they can. Is she very supple? I suffered from 'growing pains' all through childhood and still do. Had to have physiotherapy when 16 - to no effect. I've got a bit more to say but I'm in work - will try to post tonight.

[tigermoth]

I had growing pains as a five year old and throughout my chilhood and early teens. My oldest son has had them too, from around 5 years onwards, usually complaining of them in the evening. I've found no magic cure, but some leg rubbing and calpol do help.

[Tinker]

I was reading an article about this a few years ago in the Observer. Growing pains tend to be linked to suppleness. If you can do most of these:

bend your elbows backwards
touch your toes
make your thumb touch your wrist or
bend your knees backwards (!)

you are hypersupple, apparently. I was interested because I can do all of above (except last one) and had growing pains. When my daughter was born she had to be kept in hospital for a bit longer and had an appointment with a paediatrician (sp?) at 2 weeks because she had hyperextensive wrists and ankles. Everything was fine but I noticed a few months ago that she was starting to mention pains in her legs. However, my midwife was completely blase about it saying that 'floppy wrists' (as they were called in hospital) were very common in Asian children.

The downside of the article was that hypersupple types are more prone to arthritis in later life!

Don't know if this is of any use.

[Tissy]

Crampy pains are pretty common in growing children, and my theory is that the bones grow faster than the muscles, so after a growth spurt the muscles are a bit tight for a while, so can be sore. I can't think of a way to prove it scientifically though! As long as the pains are short-lived, come and go, can be either leg, and are relieved by simple measures, they're nothing to worry about. HTH

[SofiaAmes]

I had growing pains as a child. They were mild and I got little sympathy from my mother, but i suffered no long term effects from either the pains or the lack of sympathy. I think it's a pretty well recognized phenomenom and does have something to do with things growing at different rates and hormones...perfectly normal/natural.

[SueDonim]

My DH had bad growing pains in his legs. They eventually cleared up without any treatment.

I don't think I'll let my 15 yr old read your message Tinker!! She can do the most revolting things with her body joints and the last thing I need is for her to be complaining about grwoing pains, as well, lol!! Interesting what you say about your DD having to see a paed; my dd had 'clunky' hips (as opposed to 'clicky' hips)and although they required no treatment, by the time she was 6 weeks old she clicked all over whenever you picked her up. I took her to the GP, who thought I was barking, until he lifted her and she went 'click, click, click' in his arms. He said it was harmless, though - do you think that is the same as having hyperextensive joints?

[winnie1]

sml, my daughter got growing pains from a very early age and they were painful indeed. Sometimes stopping her in her tracks and making her cry out. Poor lamb, it was very distressing. I took her to the doctors I was so concerned. The advice was vit C and calcium rich foods. Eventually it calmed down for a while but now she has hit her teens they are back!

[winnie1]

Meant to also add that stretching exercises did seem to help but getting a small child to do exercises the moment they get out of bed and before they go to bed is easier said than done.

[bundle]

I have vivid memories of growing pains in my legs which may or may not have been connected to rheumatism I suffered from after getting measles when I was about 3.

[sml]

Thank you so much everyone. Nobody in my family has ever had growing pains, but I think it must be that, as she doesn't seem to have injured herself at all, or be ill in any other way. That's interesting about suppleness, Tinker. She isn't especially supple though. I've just tried to make my thumb touch my wrist, but sadly, can only manage the wrist on the opposite hand! How on earth do you do that??
Anyway, I'll just make extra sure that my daughter is getting lots of calcium and see how it goes. Vit c shouldn't be a problem as she eats such a lot of fruit. Many thanks once again.

[Lollypop]

sml I had growing pains off and on from an early age and I have never been supple. My pains were mainly in the lower part of my legs, not the joints, and were usually at night when I went to bed. The only things that helped were keeping them warm and rubbing them.
Sorry not to be able to help, hope it passes soon.

[sml]

Lollypop, yes, that's exactly what she's got in the lower part of her legs. I'll try issuing her with a hot water bottle in a frilly cover, she would love that I'm sure!

[pepsi]

Just going through old threads to see if I can find something about my 4 year old ds who is limping and says his hips are stiff. Could it be growing pains does anyone think.

[breeze]

I had pains in my legs as a child quite often, my mum used to lay me on the bed and I have to stick my legs up on a huge cushion, it soon went away.