It’s understandable for any parent to be concerned if a child complains about joint pains. However, just the complaint isn’t enough to warrant a doctor’s visit. There are times when pain in the joints is perfectly normal for a growing child. What’s important is knowing the signs of when things are wrong and how to handle them.
Typical Causes Of Joint Pain In Children
The most likely cause of a child’s joint pain is known as growing pains. This type of pain is common in the preschool and preteen years but should resolve by the time your child becomes a teenager. In this case, your child might complain about pain in the calves, thighs, knees, and arms.
While growing pains aren’t a reason for concern, they can be severe enough to wake a child from sleep or stop them from doing certain activities. One notable characteristic of these pains is that they occur mostly in the late evening or night. They may also be accompanied by headaches or abdominal pain.
If your child is very active, then the other possible cause of joint pain is overuse that had led to an injury. In that case, you might notice some swelling in the affected joint and the pain will be persistent.
With rest, however, the pain from overusing a specific joint will ease and your child shouldn’t have any further complaints.
Finally, joint pain can be caused by acute or chronic illnesses. These are not as likely but it’s a good idea to keep track of your child’s symptoms so you’ll know what to tell a doctor.
A few of the illnesses that you should look out for include Lyme disease, lupus, leukemia, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In the event that your child is diagnosed with any of these diseases, pain management will be an integral part of treatment.
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How To Handle Their Joint Pain
It’s fairly easy to treat growing pains at home. Gentle stretching exercises and targeted massages can ease the pain well. Warmth can also