Patient question

My child wakes at night with knee pain. Is it just growing pains?

Dr. Pablo GelberOrthopaedic Knee Surgeon

Quick answer

Often, yes. Growing pains usually affect both legs, are felt in the thighs, calves or behind the knees rather than in the joint, come in the evening or night and are gone by morning. A limp, swelling, fever or pain in one knee only is not typical, says Doha knee surgeon Dr. Pablo Gelber at Aman Hospital.

What growing pains usually look like

Age: most common between about 3 and 12 years
Both legs, or switching sides from night to night
An ache in the muscles of the thigh, calf or behind the knee, not inside the joint
Late afternoon, evening or waking from sleep
Settles with a rub, warmth or a simple painkiller
Your child runs and plays normally the next day, with no limp

Despite the name, they are not caused by bones growing. They seem to be linked to an active day, and they come and go over months or years before fading.

What does not fit growing pains

Pain always in the same knee
Swelling, redness or warmth of the joint
A limp, or refusing to walk or put weight on the leg
Fever, tiredness, weight loss or night sweats
Pain that is worse in the morning, or stiffness after rest
Pain that wakes the child every night and keeps getting worse
Pain after a fall or a twist during sport

Any of these points deserves a medical examination rather than waiting. A hot swollen knee with fever, or a child who cannot walk, needs to be seen the same day.

What you can do at home

Gentle massage of the calves and thighs, a warm bath or a warm pack, and a dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen at the right dose for your child's weight usually help. Light stretching of the calves and hamstrings before bed can reduce episodes in some children. Reassurance matters too: the pain is real, but in typical cases it is not a sign of damage.

Keeping a short diary of when the pain happens, which side and what your child did that day is very helpful if you later see a doctor.

When to have the knee checked in Doha

Book an assessment if the pattern does not fit, if it lasts for weeks, or if you are simply worried. At Aman Hospital Dr. Gelber takes the history, examines both knees and both hips, and watches your child walk. Most children with typical growing pains need no tests. When something does not fit, an X-ray or blood test may be suggested.

Frequently asked questions

Should my child stop sport because of growing pains?

Usually not. Growing pains do not damage the knee. If pain comes during or straight after sport, though, it is more likely to be an overuse problem and is worth checking.

Can growing pains happen in teenagers?

They are less typical after the early teens. Knee pain in a teenager is more often linked to sport, the kneecap or growth plate areas, so an examination is sensible.