Leg Pain

When to Call for Leg Pain

Care Advice for Leg Muscle Cramps, Strains, Growing Pains

1. What You Should Know About Leg Pain:
   • Strained muscles are common after too much exercise or hard sports.
   • Examples are hiking or running.
   • Weekend warriors who are out of shape get the most muscle pains.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Muscle Cramps Treatment:
   • Muscle cramps in the feet or calf muscles occur in a third of children.
   • Stretching. During attacks, stretch the painful muscle. Stretch in the opposite direction to how it is being pulled by the cramp. Try to hold the stretch until you break the spasm. While stretching also massage the muscle upward toward the heart.
   • Water. Water can make muscle cramps go away more quickly. It improves blood flow to the area. Try to drink 2 glasses of water while stretching the muscle.
   • Prevention. Future attacks may be prevented by daily stretching of the tight muscles. Hold each stretch for 10 seconds. Also do this before and after playing sports. Videos for every type of muscle cramp are easy to find. Place a pillow under the covers at the foot of the bed at night. This gives the feet more room to move at night. Also, be sure your child gets enough calcium in the diet. Daily vitamin D3 may also help.
3. Strained Muscles from Overuse - Treatment:
   • Pain Medicine. To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol). Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Use as needed.
   • Cold Pack. For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the sore muscles for 20 minutes. Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed. Caution: Avoid frostbite.
   • Heat Pack. If pain lasts over 2 days, put heat on the sore muscle. Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed. Caution: Avoid burns. For stiffness all over, use a hot bath instead. Move the sore leg muscles under the warm water.
4. Growing Pains Treatment:
   • Most often, the pains are mild and don't last long. No treatment is needed.
   • Massage. Rub the sore muscles to help the pain go away.
   • Pain Medicine. If the pain lasts more than 30 minutes, give a pain medicine. You can use either acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil). Use as needed.
   • Prevention. Research has shown that daily stretching can prevent most growing pains. Stretch the quads, hamstrings and calf muscles. Also, be sure your child gets enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet.
5. What to Expect:
   • Muscle cramps usually last 5 to 30 minutes.
   • Once they go away, the muscle returns to normal quickly.
   • A strained muscle hurts for 3 to 7 days. The pain often peaks on day 2.
   • Following severe overuse, the pain may last a week.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Muscle cramps occur often
   • Fever, persistent limp, or a swollen joint occurs
   • Pain caused by work or sports lasts more than 7 days
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.