What Happens After a Telemedicine Visit for Growing Pains (Child) - Guidance

Audience: pediatric

Growing pains are common, harmless aches that many children experience, usually in their legs during the evening or night. After a telemedicine visit, parents and caregivers often receive advice on how to manage these pains at home. Typically, the healthcare provider will suggest simple comfort measures like gentle massage, stretching, or warm baths. They may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. Follow-up visits might not be necessary unless symptoms change or worsen. It's important to watch for any signs that could indicate a more serious problem. Telemedicine can help guide families on managing growing pains safely and comfortably, but it does not replace in-person evaluations when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Pain that is severe, persistent, or worsening despite home care — seek in-person medical evaluation.
• Pain affecting only one leg or localized swelling, redness, or warmth — may indicate infection or injury; get urgent care.
• Fever, limping, difficulty walking, or other systemic symptoms alongside pain — requires prompt medical attention.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial assessment of typical growing pains symptoms.
• Providing guidance on home care and comfort measures.
• Advising when to seek in-person evaluation.
• Answering common questions about growing pains.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Diagnosing serious underlying conditions that mimic growing pains.
• Performing physical examinations or imaging tests.
• Managing severe or unusual symptoms requiring urgent care.
• Prescribing controlled substances or specialized treatments.

What Are Growing Pains?

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

What to Expect After a Telemedicine Visit

After your telemedicine visit, the healthcare provider will likely confirm that the child's symptoms fit typical growing pains. They will provide advice on how to relieve discomfort at home. This often includes gentle leg massages, stretching exercises, warm baths, and using over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if needed. The provider may also suggest monitoring the child's symptoms and activity levels.

When to Seek Further Care

If the child's pain changes in nature, becomes severe, affects only one leg, or is accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, redness, fever, limping, or difficulty walking, further in-person evaluation is necessary. These signs could indicate infections, injuries, or other medical conditions requiring prompt attention.

Managing Growing Pains at Home

Simple steps can help ease growing pains:

Keeping a pain diary can help track symptoms and identify triggers.

Follow-Up and Monitoring

Usually, growing pains improve over time and do not require frequent medical visits. However, if symptoms persist beyond several months, worsen, or new symptoms appear, schedule a follow-up with your healthcare provider. Regular monitoring helps ensure the child's comfort and health.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Have a list of your child's symptoms ready, including when and where the pain occurs.
• Note any recent injuries, illnesses, or changes in activity.
• Prepare questions or concerns you want to discuss with the healthcare provider.
• Ensure a quiet, well-lit space for the telemedicine visit.
• Have any relevant medical records or previous visit notes accessible.
• Be ready to show the child's affected areas on camera if requested.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the home care advice provided by the healthcare provider.
• Use recommended pain relief methods safely and as directed.
• Monitor your child's symptoms and note any changes.
• Keep a pain diary to track frequency, intensity, and triggers.
• Schedule a follow-up visit if symptoms worsen or new concerns arise.
• Seek immediate in-person care if red flag symptoms develop.

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 and normal development. They are not caused by actual growth of bones.

Are growing pains harmful to my child?

No, growing pains are harmless and usually go away on their own. They do not cause any long-term problems.

How can I help my child feel better after a telemedicine visit?

You can help by gently massaging the legs, encouraging stretching exercises, giving warm baths, and using over-the-counter pain relievers if advised by the healthcare provider.

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

Be concerned if the pain is severe, only in one leg, accompanied by swelling, redness, fever, limping, or difficulty walking. These signs require prompt in-person medical evaluation.

Can telemedicine replace all care for my child's growing pains?

Telemedicine is useful for initial guidance and follow-up but cannot replace in-person exams when symptoms are unusual or severe.

Sources

1. Growing Pains — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Growing Pains in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
3. Growing Pains: Symptoms and Treatment — Mayo Clinic.
4. When to Worry About Growing Pains — FamilyDoctor.org, American Academy of Family Physicians.

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