There have been episodes
over the years that my daughter can’t fall asleep because her legs hurt or she
has woken up in the night complaining to leg pain. She tends to feel it most behind her knees and
backs of her thighs, but surprisingly gets it more in one leg than the other. With no other symptoms, I attributed it to “growing
pains.” I thought that maybe she is growing faster than her ligaments can keep
up, but there is no evidence of that being the cause. In fact, I have read different explanations
for such pain, which is said to occur in the muscles of 3-5 y/o and 8-12 y/o but
in most cases it is nothing alarming. Some people say it is overuse of muscles,
or a vitamin deficiency (of calcium, potassium or magnesium). I’ve even heard flat feet!
The Nemours Foundation
(kidshealth.org) suggests trying to massage the area, stretching, heating pad
or ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help relieve the pain. They also suggest calling
your child’s doctor if the pain continues in the morning, or if there is “swelling
or redness in one particular area or joint.” Take your child to be seen by
their health care provider if the pain is associated with fever, limping, rash
or loss of appetite. Mayoclinic.com gives the same advice.
So
be patient with your little ones. If
they are complaining of leg pain and that they can’t fall asleep, it is probably
not a delay tactic. Then again……
