Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version

DESCRIPTION

• Your child complains of pains in the muscles of the arms or legs.
• The pain is not due to a known injury.
• Pains are often preceded by vigorous or excessive exercise (overuse).

For limb injuries see Bone, Muscle, and Joint Trauma.

CAUSE

There are two main causes of muscle pain. Brief acute pains are usually due to muscle cramps. Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that can awaken a child from sleep. Continuous pains are usually due to strenuous activity (muscle overuse)or forgotten muscle injuries during the preceding day. Both of these normal pains have been incorrectly referred to as growing pains.

HOME CARE

1. Treatment for muscle cramps

   Muscle cramps occur in a third of all children. During attacks, stretch the painful muscle by pulling the foot and toes upward as far as they will go to break the spasm. Massaging the painful muscle with an ice pack is also very effective. Future attacks may be prevented by daily stretching exercises of the heel cords (lean forward at the ankles with the knees straight).

2. Treatment for strained muscles

   Massage the sore muscles with ice for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat this three or four times a day for 2 days. If the muscles are still stiff on the third day, have your child take a hot bath for 20 minutes and gently exercise the involved part under water. Give acetaminophen for the pain.

CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The muscle pain is severe AND persists more than 2 hours after your child takes pain medicine.
• A joint becomes swollen.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:

• The pain persists more than 7 days.
• You have other concerns or questions.