Can Telemedicine Treat Growing Pains (Child)? - Guidance

Audience: pediatric

Growing pains are common, harmless aches that many children experience, usually in their legs. These pains often happen in the late afternoon or evening and may wake a child at night. While growing pains can be uncomfortable, they are not linked to serious health problems. Telemedicine can help parents and caregivers understand these pains, offer advice on relief methods, and decide when to seek in-person care. However, telemedicine cannot perform physical exams or tests needed to rule out other causes of leg pain. If your child has unusual symptoms or severe pain, a healthcare provider should evaluate them in person. This guidance helps families know what telemedicine can do for growing pains and when to get further care.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe leg pain that limits walking or movement — seek in-person medical evaluation promptly.
• Swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness in the leg — these may be signs of infection or injury requiring urgent care.
• Fever accompanying leg pain — this could indicate an infection needing immediate attention.

What telemedicine can do

• Discussing typical symptoms of growing pains.
• Providing advice on home care and pain relief.
• Helping decide if symptoms require in-person evaluation.
• Answering questions about growing pains and general child health.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examination to rule out other causes.
• Ordering or interpreting diagnostic tests like blood work or imaging.
• Treating serious conditions that mimic growing pains.
• Providing emergency care for severe or worsening symptoms.

What Are Growing Pains?

Growing pains are common, harmless aches that many children feel, usually in their legs. They often occur in children aged 3 to 12 years. These pains typically happen in the late afternoon or evening and may wake a child from sleep. The exact cause is unknown, but they are not caused by growth itself or any serious medical condition.

How Can Telemedicine Help?

Telemedicine allows you to talk with a healthcare provider through video or phone. For growing pains, telemedicine can help by:

This can be convenient and reduce the need for travel or waiting rooms.

When Telemedicine Is Not Enough

Telemedicine cannot replace a physical exam or tests that may be needed if your child's pain is unusual or severe. If your child has symptoms like swelling, redness, fever, limping, or pain that does not improve, an in-person evaluation is important. These signs may indicate other conditions that require medical attention.

Home Care Tips for Growing Pains

You can try these simple steps to help your child feel better:

When to Seek Immediate Care

If your child experiences any of the following, seek medical care promptly:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Note the timing, location, and severity of your child's pain.
• Observe and record any other symptoms (fever, swelling, limping).
• Prepare a list of questions or concerns about your child's pain.
• Ensure a quiet, well-lit space for the telemedicine visit.
• Have any relevant medical history or previous evaluations available.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the home care advice given by the healthcare provider.
• Monitor your child's symptoms and note any changes.
• Use recommended pain relief methods safely.
• Schedule an in-person visit if symptoms worsen or new red flags appear.
• Keep a record of any treatments or medications used.

FAQs

What causes growing pains in children?

The exact cause of growing pains is unknown. They are not caused by actual growth but may be related to muscle fatigue or activity during the day. Growing pains are harmless and do not indicate serious illness.

Can growing pains be a sign of something serious?

Usually, growing pains are not serious. However, if your child has other symptoms like swelling, redness, fever, limping, or severe pain, these may be signs of other conditions that need medical evaluation.

How can I help my child feel better at home?

You can try gentle leg massage, warm baths, stretching exercises, and over-the-counter pain relievers if appropriate. Encouraging regular physical activity and a healthy diet can also help.

When should I seek in-person medical care?

Seek in-person care if your child has severe pain, swelling, redness, fever, limping, or if the pain does not improve with home care over several days.

Is telemedicine a good option for managing growing pains?

Telemedicine can be helpful for discussing symptoms, getting advice, and deciding if further care is needed. However, it cannot replace physical exams or tests that may be necessary in some cases.

Sources

1. Growing Pains — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. Growing Pains in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Growing Pains: Symptoms and Treatment — Mayo Clinic.
4. Musculoskeletal Pain in Children — National Library of Medicine.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child has severe symptoms or you are concerned, please seek evaluation by a healthcare professional in person.