My 5 year old son told me today that his legs hurt behind his knees. It went from it just hurts, to he can't walk and it hurts to straighten his legs all of the way. He's had a cold for the last couple of days with an on and off very low fever. I kind of have the feeling that he is faking (he's an excellent actor and master manipulator) so he doesn't have to go to karate, but I'm not sure. My mom says she remembers my brother having this sort of pain when he was the same age and was told it was growing pains. There is no swelling or bruising, and there has been no injury that I know of. Anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks for your advice everyone! We recently had my 3-year old nephew diagnosed with cancer, so I wasn't taking any chances. I took him to the doctor this morning and he said he has seen at least a dozen of these cases this week. Apparently leg and calf pain is associated with a virus (Thanks, Christine M.) that is going around. By the time we got home he started walking a bit. Doc says it can take 2-3 days to completely go away! Thanks!
Growing pains. I had them and they were soooo bothersome, especially at night. My Mom did not give me anything for them, the only thing that helped was flexing them and relaxing them. They were especially tender around the knees.
C., there are some types of viral syndromes that cause pain like that. If this is right along with the cold, you can just give Motrin and wait it out. Now, of course if it gets worse or involved any bruising, you need to seek medical help right away. An MD might also give some steroid for the inflammation he might be experiencing now..Ask your MD..My gf son had this when he was little. Probably go away as quickly as it came..Good luck!
I have been dealing with this with my daughter since she was 2. She is now five. I just had to give her some tylenol last night so we both could get some sleep. We moved alot in the last few years, so I ask her doc everytime we move to a new place. They basically all said the same thing. At age 2, growing pains do not start. But now it could possibly be growing pains. ALl her doctors say to keep an eye out for any swelling or discoloration, which could be possible clotting. Her legs usually hurt her more at night, so when they are really bad, we have to massage them before she goes to bed. This seems to help. For my daughter it could be restless leg syndrome, but it is hard to diagnose at that young age. Good luck!
It sounds like growing pains. My oldest son went through this for a couple of years. From about the time he was 4-7. He would cry at night and the pain would be pretty intense for him. I took him to the Dr, we did x-rays, looked for juvenile arthritis, etc... Everything was fine. He was having major growing pains. I would have to give him Tylenol at night, put heat on his legs and rub them out for him. EVERY NIGHT! The pain seemed to be the worst around his knees. He would have trouble walking and straightening out his legs also. Sounds like that is what your little guy may be dealing with. It's painful for them. Sorry he's hurting! If it is growing pains, he will outgrow it. Be blessed!
Hello C.,
How big or small is your son? Your Mom may be right.
My Son was very small, and always ask, why is he so small, when all his friends where biger and larger then he was, and also had pain in his legs for about a year, was up many night rubbing his legs until he would fall a sleep, and I took him to the Doctor, many Doctors, and they said the same thing after taking many test on him.
They were growing pain, and he may start growing after he reached 11 or 12, well my Son didn't start growin until he reached 13, and WOW! did he grow.
He is now 35 and 6 ft. 3" and 279 pounds and is a Gov. P.D. that they call when they need someone as large as he is to take care of Business.
But as for your Son, it really is PAIN for him!
So be caring , and understanding to him because it really does hurt.
I hope I help in some way for you.
$helly
My son's joints hurt whenever he runs a fever. Mostly his knees, but sometimes his elbows. I don't know why, but I give him tylenol for the fever and he's fine. Wait till the cold passes and if it stays a problem, ask your Dr.
It could be cramps in his calves, which if you have ever has cn be very painful. If he has had a cold he may be a little dehydrated and that would contribute to the problem. Maybe try to up his water intake and make sure he is getting enough calcium and see if that helps.
My 9 year old daughter had this terrible pain when she was that age and I gave her motrin or tylenol and that helped. I believe those are growing pains. She will still get them every now and then now, but you know they are not as bad. Before, she would just cry and cry and I would have to massage her leg. I hope this helps.
S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com
