Leg pain in a 5 year old child

Leg pain in children: causes and methods of eliminating it

Many parents experience leg pain in their children. This pathological condition of the child’s body is mainly observed between the ages of 3 and 9 years, but this does not at all exclude its occurrence in very young children.

The causes of pain in the legs in children can be varied, ranging from minor bruises and injuries to severe pathologies. Experts identify the following reasons that can provoke such an unpleasant state of the body:

1. One of the most common reasons that causes discomfort in the legs is childhood. In medical practice, there is such a thing as “growing pains,” which most often bother children aged 5-7 years. It is during this period that intensive body growth is observed and before puberty the increase in body length occurs mainly due to the elongation of the lower limbs.
2. A child sometimes complains of pain in his legs if he has orthopedic diseases, among which are problems with posture, scoliosis and flat feet. As such pathologies progress in the body, a shift in the center of gravity is observed and the result is increased body pressure on a certain area of ​​the leg. In addition, pain in the legs can develop due to congenital pathology of the hip joints.
3. In some cases, the presence of chronic foci of infection in the body leads to the fact that the child begins to experience severe discomfort in the legs. It can be caused by numerous foci of caries in the oral cavity, tonsillitis and adenitis. It is for this reason that it is necessary to carry out timely treatment of all pathologies that affect the baby’s oral cavity.
4. Often, a child may suffer from unpleasant pain in the legs due to various malfunctions of the endocrine system, which most often result in a disease such as diabetes. The development of the disease can be provoked by disruption of the functioning of the adrenal glands and parathyroid glands, since the pathological condition of these organs causes demineralization of bone tissue.
5. After 3 years of age, a child may sometimes experience pain in the legs in the calf muscles. Most often, the development of such a pathological condition of the body occurs due to insufficient intake of such important minerals as calcium, potassium and phosphorus into the body.
6. It is recommended to visit a specialist if the pain in the legs is accompanied by lumbago and bothers the baby in the morning. In addition, severe discomfort in the joints, which causes a deterioration in general condition, is considered a dangerous condition. If such symptoms develop, it is recommended to show the little patient to a doctor, since such signs may signal the development of leukemia or malignant neoplasms.
7. An unpleasant disease that is accompanied by intolerance to any physical activity is neurocircular dystonia. With this pathology, the child complains of pain in the legs mainly at night and this condition is accompanied by discomfort in the abdominal region of the heart.
8. Pain in the legs can appear as a result of pathologies of the blood vessels and heart of a congenital nature, because the result of such a pathological state of the body is a disruption of the blood supply. Unlike growing pains, this condition is accompanied by a constant feeling of discomfort, and when moving, the baby may stumble and even fall.
9. If a child is actively involved in sports, pain in the legs may occur as a result of increased physical activity. Parents should reconsider his regime and try to protect him from excessive training.

Often a child complains of pain in the legs due to various injuries and bruises of the lower extremities, which can result in a slight bruise, torn ligaments and even a fracture. The baby should be shown to a specialist if, in addition to pain in the leg, he has swelling.

If the pain syndrome is severe, you should examine the child and pay attention not only to the condition of his legs, but also to his general well-being. For this it is recommended:

• Measure body temperature
• Pay attention to your appetite
• Ask to tell you about when the discomfort in your legs began.

If a child complains of severe discomfort in the legs, then he should definitely be shown to a specialist. In addition, you should consult a doctor in the following cases:

• There is lameness for several days and pain in the legs
• Upon visual examination, you can see inflammation and redness of the ankle, knee and hip joints
• The pain syndrome appeared after a severe injury and there is a suspicion of a fracture (crack).

At an appointment with a specialist, it is necessary to talk not only about pain in the leg area, but also about changes in general well-being. This will help, taking into account the characteristic symptoms, make the correct diagnosis and proceed to the necessary diagnostic procedures.

If the pain syndrome is associated with age-related characteristics, then it is important to increase the flow of blood to the extremities. To do this, experts recommend performing thermal procedures for the feet in the form of applying a heating pad to the source of pain or taking relaxing baths.

Often, discomfort in the legs is a concomitant symptom of increased body temperature and general malaise of the child, so it is recommended to use medications to eliminate it. The most effective drugs are Panadol or Nurofen, which have antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

Parents need to listen to their child’s condition and monitor him both during sleep and during active activities.

It is important to choose the right children's shoes and avoid leaving children in sneakers for a long time. Not the last place in the full development and formation of the body is occupied by good nutrition, so it is necessary to review the diet of children and fill it with foods with a sufficient content of vitamins and nutrients.

Pain in the legs may indicate the development of dangerous diseases and complications in the body, so it is recommended to show the baby to a doctor and not let the disease take its course.