Have any of your kids had knee problems? My girl is 3.5, and she complains about knee pain pretty often. She also runs and plays more often than not, so I've just figured she is having growing pains. But truth be told, I don't know anything about growing pains and she was crying the other night and wouldn't walk. Crying last night about it too. So I am taking her to the doctor tomorrow morning. Do any of you have experience with this? Her knee looks fine to me, and she seems fine most of the time. So I can't imagine what I need to ask for tomorrow. My uncle had osgood-schlatter as a kid, so I will ask about that. Anything else you girl know about, I would love if you can share.
-
My 6yo was complaining of knee pain a lot awhile back (he was 5). There would definitely be times he didn’t want to even walk. I wouldn’t have known what to do but my husband (who remembers growing pains) instantly knew it was growing pains and just reassured him he’s growing.
I can’t remember exactly but he stopped complaining about it after a few weeks? Definitely didn’t last more than a couple months.
-
My 5 year old complains about his knees often before bed time. We also just assume growing pains. Its on my radar to ask at his next well-check.
-
@mrs.kiwi: @josina: Thank you, girls. I did take her to the doctor today (breaking our quarantine to do so, but she was so cute with her little pink mask on her face that I am now so relieved I bought for a *just in case* reason). The doctor suspects growing pains, which she said are just mysterious pains that don't happen to all kids and really have no known cause. But growing pains typically happen at/during night, and the incident that caused me to make an appointment happened earlier in the evening/later afternoon. So doctor said that incident may be suspect, but I'll just start keeping notes on day, time, location, etc of each complaint she has. Xray or blood panel would be next. Ugh. So I feel better and I'm happy that I know have a little note in her records about this. Also, doctor said this would have been good for telemedicine, but no one even offered that to me and I didn't even know to ask about it.
-
I know you already saw your doctor but thought I would chime in as I work as a biomechanical specialist. We do knee bracing, strength work, orthotics, etc. But I can’t say I’ve ever had a child that young with growing pains or otherwise. Growing pains are this weird medical mystery that everyone knows about but no one knows why they happen or how to treat them reliably! Some things you can try that I recommend for my older ped clients: heating pad at night before bed since that tends to be the worst time for most kids (could do during the day if needed too) Just apply the pad for 5-10 minutes to the front of her thigh above the knee and then massage it with your hands gently. This loosens the quad muscle which is often the source of many generalized knee pains. Most often I have kids with calf pain so you can do it really on any muscle group.
I would definitely keep an eye on any limping, one sided pain, not wanting to walk or be active, swelling or redness around the joints, if she complains of other joints in her body being painful, worsening or compensated walk/run patterns or bone alignment. It’s normal for young kids to be knock kneed, flat footed, etc until age 8 or 9 where it usually improves but keep an eye for the above.
You could always take her to a pediatric physiotherapist for a second opinion as well. If you have a children’s hospital in your city, you could get your doc to refer for a diagnostic ultrasound and X-ray if it continues on.
-
@agold: from about age 3-4.5 my son had the same complaints. He’d often wake at night screaming that right behind his knees hurt, and during the day if we had to walk for a long time would always complain that it was hurting. We brought it up to our doctor and she said the same, probably growing pains but try to keep track. At his 4 year well child visit since it was still happening she had us do bloodwork but everything came back fine. Eventually he just stopped mentioning it so much, at 5 now I’d say one night a month he needs a heating pack. We did try to start buying him better quality shoes / with good support. I feel like for him it was always much worse when wearing his “summer shoes” like Natives or crappy canvas shoes.
-
@muffinsmuffins: Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate all you shared and the advice given. I've got a heat pack so I will start trying to get it to use it.
@HappyBaker: Thank you for letting me know your experience. My girls are always in Natives or mini melissas all year long. I actually have bad feet myself and now knee issues at a much too young age. So, poor kids. I will for sure get better shoes. Which shoes do you like for your boy?
-
Mine's had the same since about 3.5 (she's almost 5 now). Almost always in the evening, although occasionally during the day after lots of exercise she'll say her leg is sore.
I had terrible growing pains as a kid and our pediatrician says that's the likely cause.
-
@agold: he’s been wearing multiple pairs of this one style of Suprize by Stride Rite at Target sneakers, they’re the sturdiest looking of them. He also had a pair of Nikes that were great but pricey! We’ve just been trying to find ones that have thicker soles / cushion. I haven’t found a good Native alternative, we’re going to try some structured sandals this summer!
-
@agold: My son, too. He’s almost 4.5 and complains often in the middle of the night that his knees hurt. I assumed it was growing pains. Will look into better shoes for him!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
9 comments