Question
My child experiences leg pain every morning after exercise. What could be the cause?
Answer
Chronic pain, often referred to as leg pain, typically occurs in children during their school years and is related to the rapid growth during spring. It may be caused by the uneven growth of muscles and tendons. The pain characteristics include bilaterality, long duration, and often worsen in the afternoon or evening, which can be relieved after a night’s rest. This is a temporary physiological phenomenon that usually does not require treatment. However, if the pain persists or intensifies, it is important to differentiate it from other leg conditions such as transient synovitis of the hip joint, tuberculous arthritis of the hip joint, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and osteoarthritis, as these conditions have different symptoms and treatment methods. If there is leg pain of unknown cause, it is advisable to take the child to the hospital for examination and diagnosis early on. In addition, excessive exercise, X-shaped or O-shaped leg deformities, cold weather, and other factors may also lead to leg pain. Parents can help alleviate the pain by providing appropriate massage, soaking feet in warm water, engaging in appropriate exercise, and keeping warm.