Seven-year-old with daily sore legs, seeking others' experiences and advice

[Gems11lou]

Looking for some advice, my LO who is 7 cries sore about sore legs nearly every day. Ive had her back and forth to the doctors but they don't seem to take it seriously, tell me it's growing pains or iron deficiency. But this is every day for years now, there is a history of restless legs in the family but they says she is too young for that. Has anyone else any experience with this? Thanks

Does your dc have any hypermobility?

Doctor has never mentioned that

Following as I'm having the exact same issues with my 8yo.

Dh and his Mum also have the same issues but doctors won't connect the dots.

Meanwhile my poor DD wakes almost nightly, crying in pain.

It might be worth looking up the symptoms online, just to rule it out.

DS complained of sore legs for years- they said growing pains and a virus. It took 4 blood tests to find nothing wrong but then a locum GP questioned why it hasn't been looked into further. He got referred to physio and Occupational Therapy and now has his diagnosis of hypermobility. Go back to the GP and ask for a referral

Thank you

Thank you, I will look in to this

@Gems11lou would paying for a private paediatric appointment be worth considering? Just to get an opinion on this?

My son had sore legs almost every night and had a blood test for something else, found a vitamin D deficiency, once he had high dose vit D for a few weeks the sore legs stopped so we think it was a vitamin deficiency. I’d push for bloods.

Thank you

Thanks, may have to go down that route

Which bit of the legs? DD was in a lot of pain with Severs disease when she was about 8 or 9. A few physio sessions and daily exercises really helped and then her body caught up with her legs.

I’d definitely go back to the GP if she’s having leg pain almost every day, especially as it’s been going on for years. Even if it turns out to be growing pains or low iron, I’d want the cause properly checked rather than just putting up with it.

Yes my son had this too. I forget how old he was when it stopped but it did stop. Hang in there . All the best

I was going to suggest looking into this. I took my child to an osteopath for this reason and they looked into this, hypermobility (doesn’t have it) and other things. Apparently he has osgood schlatters which is where the bones grow quicker than the muscles. They said we need to go to the Drs and request a paediatric podiatrist/physiotherapist appointment and get special shoe insoles.

They also provided exercises to help. Posted here in case they help anyone:

The "Short Foot" Challenge (Tripod Press)
This exercise selectively targets the abductor hallucis, a critical intrinsic foot muscle that acts as the primary architectural support for the foot arch

• How to do it: Have him sit barefoot on a chair with his feet flat on the floor. Ask him to try to shorten his foot by pulling the ball of his foot toward his heel without curling or lifting his toes. The arch of his foot should visibly lift off the floor
• The Isometric Hold: Once the arch is lifted, have him press the pad of his big toe firmly into the floor while maintaining that high arch
• Duration: Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times per foot

2. The Sofa Leg Push (Tibialis Posterior Activation)
The tibialis posterior muscle runs down the inside of the calf and under the ankle, acting as the main dynamic stabilizer against over-pronation

• How to do it: Have him sit on the floor next to a heavy, immovable object like a sofa leg or a sturdy wall.
• The Isometric Hold: Position him so the inside edge of his foot is flush against the sofa leg. Instruct him to keep his leg still and push the inside of his foot sideways into the sofa leg, as if he is trying to turn the sole of his foot inward.
• Duration: Push firmly and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times

3. The "Tennis Ball Squeeze" Wall Hold
This exercise targets the calf muscles and deep foot stabilizers while preventing the ankles from rolling inward during a heel raise.

• How to do it: Have him stand facing a wall for balance, placing a tennis ball or a small firm ball between his heels.
• The Isometric Hold: Instruct him to lift his heels slightly off the floor (just an inch or two) and squeeze the tennis ball firmly between his heels to keep it from falling. Squeezing forces the ankles into a stable, neutral alignment and fights the over-pronation.
• Duration: Hold this raised, squeezing position statically for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

4. The Glute Bridge

• Have him lie on his back with his knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
• Instruct him to push through his heels and lift his hips up into the air until his body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees.
• Have him squeeze his bottom muscles at the top and hold for 10 seconds.
• This strengthens the glutes and hamstrings, which naturally helps pull the knees and ankles out of an over-pronated position without putting any tension on the front of the knee

5. The "Big Toe Brake" Game
Children who toe-walk and over-pronate often have weak big toe flexors, causing the foot to collapse inward because the big toe isn't stabilising the ground

• How to do it: While he is sitting or standing, place your index finger flat on the floor underneath his big toe.
• The Isometric Hold: Ask him to trap your finger by pushing his big toe down into the floor as hard as he can, attempting to prevent you from pulling your finger out. Make sure he keeps his foot straight and his arch slightly lifted while pushing down.
• Duration: Hold the "trap" for 5 to 8 seconds. Repeat 5 times on each foot.

Agree with suggestions to explore hyper mobility. Also a friend’s child was similar and eventually diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. So worth persisting with GP.paediatrician. Physio can check for hyper mobility.

Google ehlers danlos syndrome (hypermobility variation) and sore legs in children.