3 yr old with growing pains

[roundabout1]

Hi our dd2 is 3 and has been suffering with growing pains since she was 1. She has been referred to a Paediatrician originally who told us she was hypermobile and diagnosed growing pains but didn't state that she was hypermobile on the letter to the gp following the appointment and said they didn't need to see her again. That was when she was 1, last year when she was 2 we were reffered by the gp to an ortho doctor - sorry can't remember the name of the speciality! He examined her said she was "nice and bendy" and said she had growing pains and wouldn't need to see her again. It seems to go in cycles, she will have a week or two with no pains followed by a few weeks of pain every night, the pain is mostly in her ankles and feet although also in her calf and thigh muscles and also sometimes in her hands and arms. Her sleep is very poor as is often disturbed by the pain. It seems to be getting worse, defintely more frequent and also affecting her hands and arms. I am a bit concerned how she will cope with f/t school in September when she has consecutive nights of little sleep. I have a gp appointment next week for her, would you ask to be referred to anyone else, at a previous appointment they did say they would be happy to refer her if it didn't improve. Any advice appreciated. TIA x

Sounds like she needs orthotic insoles to correct her foot position. This then corrects her ankle, knee and hip position. My dc all have them with fantastic results. The cycles will be growth spurt related. Or possibly exercise related. Dc4 was/is the worst affected, his pains were horrendous through the night. The pains stopped very quickly once he got his insoles and everything was put in the correct position. We still have flare ups but not often. Mine are all hyermobile also. Basically, nothing can be done about this, just pain management

Thank you, funnily enough dd1 saw an podiatrist for insoles last month. Will mention it when we are at the gp next week, regarding pain relief she has calpol & ibruprofen most nights, seems to have little effect are you aware of anything stronger that can be prescribed? TIA

That's it I'm afraid ... That's all I've been told, just pain management. Which is shit considering nothing works We also use biofreeze gel on legs when they're sore - that does help a bit.

Yup definitely insoles! My DS1(8) was the same, insoles at 4. Helped lots, still has times but so much better. See a physio, very helpful. Calpol, nurofen, hot water bottle and we hold the joint sometimes. Lots of cuddles. He had pain last night (trampoline, which we were advised against :-( but hard to say no) xx

Thank you, have the gp later. Had an awful night with pains in her hands, seemed to spend the night rubbing her wrist and knuckles, would drift off to sleep for her to shout "don't stop rubbing". Am shattered now yet dd is very cheerful and gone off to preschool happily meanwhile I am like a zombie :)