Question
A 4-year-old experiences knee pain at night, but is active during the day with no history of trauma (injury). They have had an X-ray at the hospital with no abnormalities found. What could be the cause of the pain and what solutions are there?
Answer
Nighttime knee pain in children may be caused by growth pains, which are common around the knee area or the front side of the lower leg. This occurs due to faster growth of long bones not being coordinated with regional muscle and tendon growth. It is advised to rest promptly, avoid overexertion, and appropriately supplement with calcium and vitamin C. Heat therapy can be used at night to alleviate pain. However, it is still necessary to be aware of the possibility of conditions like rheumatism or synovitis, and further observation and examination are recommended.