When a baby is born, parents often check for 10 fingers and 10 toes as a sign of a healthy child. Feet are tickled, shoes are outgrown and knees are skinned. As a child ages, they may complain of sore legs from “growing pains” and strained muscles from soccer practice. A child’s legs carry them from one milestone to the next as they move from crawling, walking, bike riding and running.
Although it is widely assumed that only adults get spider veins, that is untrue. Adults, particularly women, do represent the largest sector of patients by far, yet children are also susceptible to vein conditions. Spider veins in children are very rare, and most do not need treatment. However, it is important to recognize the risk factors including heredity, tight clothing, obesity and blood vessel abnormalities.
St. Johns Vein Center can help your child with their vascular issues. Our goal is to provide you with a helpful information on your child’s leg health so you can make informed decisions. Leg health is an important factor in maintaining an active lifestyle and carrying your child into adolescence and adulthood.
- Growing Pains: Concentrate in the muscles rather than the joints, growing pains are intermittent, harmless pains yet have nothing to do with growth. They usually occur in the front of their thighs, in the calves, or behind the knees. Growing pains normally occur late in the day, before bed, and can can sometimes wake a sleeping child.
- Muscle Spasms & Cramps: Muscle spasm and muscle cramp pain can be intense, localized, and even debilitating. It usually comes on quickly and could last for minutes. Normal muscle spasms and cramps fade gradually. The child’s pediatrician should be contacted if the following symptoms are present:
- dehydration
- a high fever— of 102°F or 38.9°C, or above
- prolonged muscle contractions
- cramps or spasms that cause twisting, repetitive movement, or abnormal posture
- acute pain associated with the muscle cramp or spasm
- apparent development of muscle contractures (prolonged joint flexion in an abnormal position)
- Serious Causes: Leg pain can also be an indication of more serious matters such as fractures, deep vein thrombosis, neuritis (nerve infection), arthritis (joint infection), and septic arthritis (a bacterial infection of any joint space) just to name a few.
You should see your doctor if your child is experiencing:- pain that does not go away after a few days of home treatment
- severe muscle pain if they are unsure of the cause
- muscle pain that occurs along with a rash
- muscle pain that occurs after a tick bite
- myalgia accompanied by redness or swelling
- pain that occurs soon after a change in the medications you take
- severe joint pain
- resistance to any joint movement and a high fever
- Strained Muscles: Muscle strain, muscle pull, or even a muscle tear refers to damage to a muscle or its attaching tendons. Muscle strains in children, continuous acute pains (hours to 7 days), are usually due to over strenuous activities or muscle injuries.
- Viral Infections: Not all muscle aches are related to stress, tension, and physical activity. Some medical explanations for myalgia include infections, such as the flu.
As the school year begins, take time to check in with your child and look for any signs of leg pain. If your child has vascular issues, please take a moment to contact the St. Johns Vein Center online or call us at 877-640-VEIN (8346) and schedule a complimentary vein screening.
