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Growing Pains

Paediatric Foot Conditions· Also known as: benign nocturnal limb pains of childhood, recurrent limb pain of childhoodUpdated Nov 2026

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At a Glance

Growing pains are a frequent, harmless type of leg pain in young children. Typically both legs ache or cramp in the evening or night, and the pain is gone by morning. The cause isn't known, and the name is misleading. They cause no lasting harm and usually settle by themselves, although the pain may keep returning for months or even years. Typical growing pains can usually be managed at home, and you can try simple comfort measures, though it isn't clear yet how well they work. Pain that doesn't fit this pattern is covered in the 'When to see a podiatrist' section.

What is it?

Growing pains are a common, harmless kind of leg pain in young children. They usually cause aching or cramping in both legs at night, and the pain is often severe. Up to 1 in 3 children have it at some time in early childhood.

The name is misleading. Growing pains are not thought to be caused by bones growing, and they are harmless.

The good news is that growing pains don't cause any long-term harm. If your child's pain fits the typical pattern, you can be reassured that it is not damaging their legs. Pain that doesn't fit the pattern is covered in the 'When to see a podiatrist' section.

Who does it affect?

Growing pains usually affect children aged about 3 to 12 years, and sometimes up to 14. The pain often starts between ages 3 and 6. It may be most common around ages 3 to 5 and again around ages 8 to 11. Boys and girls are equally affected.

It isn't clear exactly how many children have growing pains. Estimates range widely, from 2.6 to 49.9 per cent, so no single figure is reliable. In children aged four to six years, it may be as high as 37 per cent.

Growing pains are said to be more common in active children, including after a lot of sport, and in children with flexible (double-jointed) joints.

Signs and symptoms

Growing pains usually cause an aching, throbbing or cramp-like pain in both legs. Most children feel it in the calves, the front of the thighs, the shins or behind the knees. It is usually felt in the muscles rather than the joints, though some sources say muscles or joints.

The pain often starts in the late afternoon or evening, and many children are woken by it. It can be quite strong, often after a busy, active day. By morning it has gone, and your child walks normally with no limp.

Between your child's bouts of pain, they are otherwise well. They can run and play as usual, and the pain doesn't come on when they are active. Many children have pain-free days, and some only get pain now and then.

Pain that doesn't fit this pattern is covered in the 'When to see a podiatrist' section.

What causes it?

No one knows for certain what causes growing pains. No clear cause has been found, and it is a harmless condition. Despite the name, bone growth is not thought to be the cause. Bones grow slowly, even during growth spurts, and that slow growth isn't thought to cause pain.

Growing pains can run in families. Children whose pain lasts for more than 5 years may have lower pain thresholds (they feel pain more easily) than other children, and are more likely to have family members with pain problems.

Some things are linked to growing pains, but none is proven to be the cause. These include flexible joints, flat feet, lower pain thresholds, weaker bones, vitamin D deficiency, restless legs and stress in the family. Parents often link busy, active days to the pain. It isn't clear yet whether flexible joints play a part in growing pains.

These links don't prove cause. Please don't assume that flat feet, flexible joints or sport are the reason for your child's pain.

How is it diagnosed?

Growing pains are diagnosed from your child's story and a check-up. Your podiatrist, GP or other health professional will ask which leg or legs hurt, what time of day the pain comes, whether it has gone by morning, and whether it comes on with activity or during the day. They will also ask about any limp and about your child's general health.

They will then examine your child. This usually includes watching them walk, checking their joints, and looking for swelling, redness, warmth or one spot that is tender to touch.

If the story is typical and the examination is normal, blood tests and X-rays aren't needed. The aim is to use only the tests that are needed to tell when a child needs more than reassurance.

If something doesn't fit the usual pattern, your child may need a wider check to look for other causes. The 'When to see a podiatrist' section lists those signs.

Treatment

Most children with growing pains can be looked after at home. The first step is reassurance: the pain is harmless and doesn't cause long-term harm. Simple measures may help, though it isn't clear how well each of the ones below works.

Looking after it at home

Before bed, you can try a warm bath or a heat pack, gentle massage of your child's legs, or some gentle stretching. These are suggested to ease the discomfort.

Pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen) can also be given. Follow the directions on the pack. If you're not sure whether your child can take either one, ask your GP or pharmacist. Children under 16 should not be given aspirin.

Vitamin D deficiency, weaker bones, a low pain threshold and restless legs may be linked with growing pains. These are links only, and no firm conclusions have been reached about the cause. Please don't start vitamin D or other supplements for growing pains on the strength of them.

Treatment from your podiatrist

Your podiatrist will usually offer simple advice, like the home measures above. Children with a history of injury are sent on to a bone and joint specialist (an orthopaedic doctor).

If the pain continues despite these steps, or changes, your child's history and examination need to be looked at again. The 'When to see a podiatrist' section explains what to do.

Recovery

The outlook is good. Growing pains are harmless and usually get better on their own. Your child doesn't need to do anything special to make that happen.

The pain can come and go over months, or even years. A quiet few weeks doesn't always mean it has gone for good, and a return of the pain isn't a sign that something is wrong.

If the pattern changes, for example pain on waking, pain during the day, a limp or a fever, see the 'When to see a podiatrist' section. The 'When to see a podiatrist' section explains what to do.

Preventing it

No proven way to stop growing pains coming back has been shown, so there is nothing you need to do or avoid to prevent them. You can still try the comfort measures under Treatment when an episode happens.

When to see a podiatrist

When to book

If you are worried about your child's pain, or it seems persistent, talk to a health visitor or doctor, who may refer your child to a podiatrist.

When to get help sooner

Get urgent medical assessment (see your GP today, or go to an urgent care clinic or the nearest emergency department) if:

your child has a fever with a limp or a painful, red, hot or swollen joint, or seems very unwell with foot or leg pain: go straight away, without waiting for an appointment
your foot, or a patch of skin on your foot or leg, becomes red, hot, swollen and painful
you suddenly can't put any weight on your leg or foot, or have sudden severe hip pain or a change in the length of your leg: go straight away, without waiting for an appointment

See your GP soon if:

you have lost weight without trying
you have pain at night or at rest that doesn't settle
your child has a limp that hasn't improved after a week, limps without pain, or doesn't want to put weight on their foot
your child has heel or ankle pain together with hip or knee pain, morning stiffness that lasts more than 20 minutes, or a foot that has started to turn outwards

See your podiatrist or GP soon if:

your pain is getting worse, or doesn't settle with rest, less activity or pain relief

Frequently asked questions

Are growing pains really caused by growing?

Probably not. There is no clear link between the pain and growth spurts, and slow bone growth is not thought to cause pain. The name has stuck, but it is considered a misnomer.

Why do growing pains happen at night?

The pain tends to start in the late afternoon or evening, often after a busy, active day, and can wake your child. Exactly why it comes at night isn't clear yet. It has gone by morning.

Do growing pains run in families?

They can. Children whose pain lasted more than 5 years were more likely to have family members with pain problems. A family history doesn't mean your child will have long-lasting pain.

Does my child need X-rays or blood tests?

No, not if your child's symptoms follow the usual pattern and the check-up finds nothing unusual. If anything doesn't fit the pattern, a wider check may be needed. The 'When to see a podiatrist' section lists those signs.

Does vitamin D help growing pains?

Growing pains have been linked with vitamin D deficiency, but this is a link only, not a proven cause or treatment. Supplements shouldn't be started for growing pains just because of this link.