How to Deal with Growing Pains

Host: There is a term we use, I do not know if it is real or not real, growing pains. What is ‘growing pains’?

Guest: ‘Growing pains’ is a term that's used a lot, but probably not very often found in medical textbooks.

Host: Does such a thing exist?

Guest: I think I frequently use the term also because I think it's very important sometimes when we are dealing with parents to explain symptoms in a way that makes sense, is intelligible. So usually, myself or the pediatrician will do a complete exam to make sure we are not concerned about any underlying medical or orthopedic problem and then if all we are left is with intermittent complaints of pain that are really not limiting a child's activity, not waking him up at night, we will often explain the symptoms as growing pains.

Host: Is there any signature of that?

Guest: There are some, probably, time; but what I usually tell the parents is there are certain things that make us more concerned or there are certain things that may be red flags, and so in general the kid's activity isn't limited. They are not waking up at night. Some of these complaints of pain can be observed.

Host: But sometimes a pain in the bone could be something more serious, is that true?

Guest: Right. That's why it's very important that if this becomes a recurrent issue or problem that the family seek medical attention to make sure that there is nothing more.

Host: Okay, thank you very much.


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