Growing pains are a category of symptoms that present in very active children between the ages of 10-16, with hypermobile joints and flat feet.
The most common condition in the foot is Sever’s Disease. The location of this pain is in the back of the heel, where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone. In young children, this bone has not fully formed or ossified, meaning that the attachment point of the tendon and bone is weak.
The most common condition in the knee Osgood Schlatter’s disease, which presents near the kneecap. Again as above, the child’s weakened bone and tendon structure is the main cause, along with high levels of activity.
Short term treatment for these conditions include resting the area and applying ice. Long term treatment include orthotics, bracing and a stretching program.