When considering growing pains, which finding supports excluding other causes?

When considering growing pains, which finding supports excluding other causes?

• A. Pain, swelling, erythema
• B. Decreased ROM
• C. Exclusion of other causes of lower extremity pain
• D. Loss of ambulation

Answer: (C)

Growing pains are diagnosed by excluding other causes of leg pain. In children who have typical nocturnal leg pains but a normal physical exam and no red flags, the key finding that supports labeling the pain as benign is that other potential causes have been ruled out. Documenting the exclusion of other causes of lower extremity pain helps ensure there isn’t an inflammatory, infectious, traumatic, or orthopedic condition driving the symptoms. If you saw swelling, redness, or decreased range of motion, those signs would point away from benign growing pains and toward other pathologies needing further workup. Likewise, loss of ambulation would be a red flag for something more serious rather than growing pains.

Growing pains are diagnosed by excluding other causes of leg pain. In children who have typical nocturnal leg pains but a normal physical exam and no red flags, the key finding that supports labeling the pain as benign is that other potential causes have been ruled out. Documenting the exclusion of other causes of lower extremity pain helps ensure there isn’t an inflammatory, infectious, traumatic, or orthopedic condition driving the symptoms.

If you saw swelling, redness, or decreased range of motion, those signs would point away from benign growing pains and toward other pathologies needing further workup. Likewise, loss of ambulation would be a red flag for something more serious rather than growing pains.