Can Telemedicine Treat Growing Pains (Child)? Guidance for Adults

Audience: adult

Growing pains are common, harmless aches that often affect children, usually in their legs during the late afternoon or evening. These pains typically do not have an underlying serious cause and often improve with simple home care. Telemedicine can be a helpful way for parents or caregivers to discuss symptoms with a healthcare provider, get advice on managing discomfort, and learn when to seek in-person care. However, telemedicine cannot perform physical exams or tests needed to rule out other causes of pain. If a child has unusual symptoms, such as persistent pain during the day, swelling, fever, or limping, in-person evaluation is important. This guide explains how telemedicine can assist with growing pains, what signs to watch for, and how to prepare for and follow up after a telehealth visit.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Pain that occurs during the day or limits normal activity — seek prompt medical evaluation.
• Swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness in the affected limb — requires urgent in-person care.
• Fever, limping, or difficulty walking alongside pain — immediate medical attention needed.

What telemedicine can do

• Discussing typical symptoms of growing pains.
• Providing advice on home care and pain relief.
• Helping decide if symptoms warrant in-person evaluation.
• Answering questions and reassuring caregivers.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examinations.
• Ordering or interpreting diagnostic tests.
• Diagnosing conditions other than growing pains.
• Managing severe or unusual symptoms requiring urgent care.

What Are Growing Pains?

Growing pains are common, non-serious aches that usually happen in children between ages 3 and 12. They often occur in the legs, especially in the calves, shins, or behind the knees. These pains usually happen in the late afternoon or evening and may wake a child from sleep. Growing pains are not linked to actual growth or injury but may be related to muscle fatigue or normal activity levels.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine allows you to connect with a healthcare provider from home or another convenient location. For growing pains, telehealth visits can help by:

This can save time and reduce stress while ensuring your child gets timely advice.

Limitations of Telemedicine for Growing Pains

While telemedicine is useful, it cannot replace a physical exam. A healthcare provider cannot:

If your child's symptoms are unusual or worsening, an in-person visit is needed.

When to Seek In-Person Care

Contact a healthcare provider promptly if your child has:

These signs may indicate a condition other than growing pains requiring immediate evaluation.

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

Before your tele-visit, prepare by:

This helps the provider give the best advice possible.

After the Telemedicine Visit

Follow the healthcare provider's advice, which may include:

Keep notes of any changes and stay in touch with your provider as needed.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Observe and note the timing, location, and severity of your child's pain.
• Check for other symptoms like swelling, redness, fever, or limping.
• Prepare a list of questions or concerns for the healthcare provider.
• Ensure your device has a working camera and microphone.
• Find a quiet, well-lit place for the telemedicine visit.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the provider's recommendations for pain relief and care.
• Monitor your child's symptoms closely for any changes.
• Schedule an in-person visit if advised by the provider.
• Seek emergency care if red flags or worsening symptoms develop.
• Keep a record of symptom progression and treatments used.

FAQs

What causes growing pains in children?

Growing pains are not fully understood but are thought to be related to muscle fatigue from daily activities. They are not caused by actual bone growth or injury and are generally harmless.

Can telemedicine diagnose growing pains?

Telemedicine can help discuss symptoms and provide guidance but cannot perform the physical exam needed to definitively diagnose growing pains or rule out other conditions.

How can I relieve my child's growing pains at home?

Common methods include gentle leg massage, stretching exercises, warm baths, and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following dosing instructions carefully.

When should I be concerned about my child's leg pain?

Seek medical care if the pain occurs during the day, limits activity, is accompanied by swelling, redness, fever, limping, or if the pain is severe or worsening.

Is it safe to manage growing pains without seeing a doctor in person?

Many cases of growing pains can be managed with home care and telemedicine advice. However, in-person evaluation is important if symptoms are unusual or do not improve as expected.

Sources

1. Growing Pains in Children — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Growing Pains — Mayo Clinic.
3. Musculoskeletal Pain in Children and Adolescents — National Library of Medicine.
4. When to Seek Medical Care for Your Child’s Pain — American Academy of Pediatrics.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child has concerning symptoms or worsening pain, please seek prompt evaluation from a healthcare professional in person.