Last reviewed October 23, 2012 By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. It
seems to make sense: If a child or teenager who is going through
a growth spurt complains of leg pain, it's probably just
"growing pains," right? But what exactly are growing pains? And
if they are truly related to growth, a number of questions
arise: Whatever they are, the description of growing pains goes
back a long way. The typical case is a child between the ages of
12 and 17 who develops mild to moderate (and occasionally
intense) pain in the calves, shins, knees or thighs. The pain is
often not confined to one spot or one area; it tends to affect
the entire leg. Pain may be most severe at night and may
intensify then for 10 to 15 minutes, but it is rarely
debilitating. It does not typically prevent walking, running or
participation in sports. There is no fever, redness of the skin,
or swelling in fact the legs and other areas of pain appear
completely normal. These pains may last a few weeks or months
but rarely become chronic. Then, as mys