Growing pain refers to an ache or throb in the children’s legs, especially in front of the thighs, the calves, and behind the knees. These pains can affect both legs and most commonly occur at night.
If your child experiences leg pain frequently and wakes up from sleep, it might be something more than just growing pain: a pediatric orthopedic condition.
Let’s discuss some common pediatric conditions and explore how parents can differentiate growing pains from something more serious.
Common Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions
Pediatric orthopedic conditions refer to a wide range of disorders that affect the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments of children. Examples include:
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis in children, characterized by joint pain and inflammation in various body parts, including knees and ankles. Symptoms of JIA get worse after waking up in the morning or staying in one position.
To receive a diagnosis of JIA, a child must have inflammation in one or more joints lasting at least 6 months, have all other conditions ruled out, and be under the age of 16 years.
Toxic Synovitis
Toxic synovitis is a common cause of hip pain in children. It is a temporary condition that occurs when there is an inflammation in the inner lining of the hip joint, causing pain and stiffness. It is more common in boys and most often occurs in younger kids. A child with toxic synovitis may complain of leg or hip pain (constant throughout the day) in one leg.
Bowlegs
This orthopedic condition is characterized by excessive outward bending of the legs, especially when feet are together while standing. Because legs are folded in the womb, bow legs are more common in infants. However, they can gradually be corrected when the child walks and puts weight on the legs.
It’s recommended to seek orthopedic evaluation and treatment if only one leg is bowed, if the child is above two years of age, and if the legs are still bowed.
Knock-Knees
Knock-knees are the opposite of bowlegs. A child has knock-knees if ankles are fairly wide apart in a standing position, but the knees are together. This orthopedic problem is more common in children from age 3 to 6 and gets better naturally when children engage in weight-bearing activities like running and walking.
Developmental Dysplasia of Hip
Otherwise known as congenital dislocation or hip dysplasia, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is an orthopedic condition where the hip joint (ball-and-socket joint) doesn’t form properly. This condition is more common in babies and young children and can affect one or both hips.
DDH causes symptoms like limited hip movement, hip dysplasia, or clicking sounds in the hip.
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries are one of the most common reasons for children to experience pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Types of injuries children get while playing sports include sprained ankles, ACL tears, shin splints, etc.
Signs You Should Watch Out for to Differentiate Growing Pains from More Serious Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions
If you want to distinguish between growing pains and more serious orthopedic conditions, pay attention to your child’s symptoms. The following are some signs and symptoms that indicate that your child is suffering from a more serious condition.
- Pain is restricted to one limb of your child.
- Your child is limping or refusing to use a limp due to pain.
- The pain is so intense that it wakes your child from a sound sleep.
- Pain is accompanied by fever, joint aches, and unusual rashes.
- Your child still hurts long after getting an injury.
- Your child is less active than usual.
Pediatric Orthopedics in Lauderdale Lakes and Pembroke Pines, FL
If you are concerned about your child’s persistent pain and are looking for child-friendly orthopedic doctors for comprehensive evaluation and treatment, look no further than our pediatric orthopedists here at Total Orthopaedic Care. Our team of orthopedic doctors is committed to providing a comprehensive range of services for every life stage, including infants and children. We routinely provide orthopedic care to pediatric patients with traumatic injuries, congenital defects, and developmental and neuromuscular conditions.
If you would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our child-friendly, board-certified orthopedic doctors, please contact us today at (954) 735-3535 or fill out our online appointment request form.
