Wauwatosa Heel Pain Specialist Explains Growing Pains in Children

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Children and teenagers may experience growing pains – foot, ankle, and leg problems that cause pain in the bones and leg muscles. However, in many cases, these pains can be caused by a misalignment in the lower extremities. Our Wauwatosa heel pain specialist explains more below. 

Symptoms of Growing Pains

The symptoms of growing pains vary between children. Usually, growing pains occur between the ages of 3—5 and between 8—12. However, some common symptoms include:

  • Muscular aches and sharp pains, generally behind the knee, in the calf, and in the front of the thigh
  • Headaches or arm pain
  • Pain does not subside by moving legs
  • Intermittent pain that occurs around the late afternoon, evening, or late at night, and is gone by morning
  • Pain doesn’t make it difficult to run or play 

Growing Pain Causes

The causes of growing pains aren’t clear. Pain isn’t directly caused by the growth of bones, as the bones grow slowly, even during growth spurts. The pain tends to be worse after physical activity or sports. Some factors that appear to influence pain:

  • Tight muscles in the hamstrings, calf, and hip rotator muscles
  • Flat feet
  • Muscle tiredness
  • Poor posture

Growing pains should subside by the middle of adolescence. If they don’t, there may be more serious problems that our podiatrist can help with. 

Growing Pain Treatments

Though children will eventually outgrow these aches and pains, there are measures you can take to ease growing pains, such as: 

  • Custom orthotics to realign the legs and feet for pain relief
  • Wearing more supportive shoes
  • Exercises for muscle flexibility and strength

If you believe your child has a condition beyond growing pains, please contact our podiatrist. We can help diagnose and treat your child to get them back on their feet!

Contact Our Wauwatosa Heel Pain Specialist Today!

If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Milwaukee Foot & Ankle Specialists, with a convenient podiatry office located in Wauwatosa by calling (414) 246-9575 or by clicking here.

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