Growing pains

Growing pains
Aching bones are not just associated with the elderly
Published: 23/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Mylife
It sounds like a symptom of ageing that shouldn't happen to a child.
However, a number of parents are worried to find their children awake in the night with throbbing pains in their legs.
When that happens, some parents panic and get confused about how to help their kids.
"The symptoms can be what's medically known as growing pains, which usually occurs at any age between three and 12," said Dr Direk Israngkul, an orthopaedic specialist at Vichaiyut Hospital.
Growing pains are normally felt around the knees, the front of the thighs and the shinbones, as well as the ankles and feet. However, when you try to pinpoint the exact spot of pain, it just can't be located. This is because it's actually leg-pain symptoms, not the inflammation of muscles.
What are the causes and symptoms?
Dr Direk said there is no firm evidence on the causes of pain, but it seems to happen when children are experiencing the growth of bone.
The pain and discomfort normally occurs after jumping, running - generally everything that active children do during the day.
The severity of pain ranges from mild to medium, which can cause annoyance and frustration to children. The duration of the pain also varies, from 10-15 minutes to up to an hour.
Dr Direk Israngkul, an orthopaedic specialist at Vichaiyut Hospital.
When it comes to growing pains, there is no inflammation of the muscles, joints or tendons, and the child actually feels better when the painful area is massaged.
"An X-ray would find no abnormalities," said Dr Direk.
He added that some children could also experience chronic headaches, unstable emotions and depression. Some may even suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.
Observations on the connection of fluoride sensitivity and growing pains
Dr Direk believes growing pains are connected to fluoride sensitivity.
"Fluoride is actually useful as it helps prevent tooth decay by building enamel. At the same time, it also stimulates the build-up of periosteum in the bones, which some children are sensitive to," said Dr Direk.
In the past, after Dr Direk has ruled out all other causes of leg pains in a child, he has advised cutting out fluoride.
"In such cases, I would explain to the parents that their child does not have any serious disease, and that the symptoms can be relieved by massaging or temporarily stopping fluoride intake under supervision of a dentists," he said.
However, he noted there are few studies showing any relation between fluoride sensitivity and growing pains.................