A lot of things get branded as “growing pains” but merely because there's pain in a developing child does not mean it is a true growing pain. It is possible to dismiss pain in a growing child as growing pains. A true growing pain just happens at night and never in the daytime. The pain is also in the upper calf muscle and behind the knee. If the discomfort occurs in the daytime and in another place than the back of the leg and knee, then it is not a true growing pain and it is probably as a result of something different that should be investigated. Generally, it only occurs in younger children and wakes the child from sleep. There will be no history of trauma or any sort of injury to the location that the pain occurs in.

Growing pains are usually relatively harmless and self-limiting, in that they do come right after time. However, they usually are unpleasant to the child and parents at the time and, even more important, there are a few very serious and rare disorders that may have signs similar to growing pains, so each case has to be considered seriously and investigated to eliminate these other possible causes. The consequences of neglecting these rare reasons for similar symptoms can be significant.

The typical management for growing pains is simply reassurance of the child. They should be comforted and helped to return to sleep. Soothing massage or rubbing of the leg will often help. In some instances medication may be used to help the pain and relieve the getting back to sleep. Stretching before going to bed and when the pain happens can also be useful. Of most importance is education about the nature of growing pains and that it will pass as well as an assessment of those possible rare and serious reasons for the pain.