While commonly associated with children, adults can experience leg discomfort similar to the diffuse, achy sensations of childhood “growing pains.” However, true growing pains are linked to skeletal development in youth, not adult physiology. Understanding the distinctions between these and other adult leg pain conditions is important.
Understanding Childhood Growing Pains
Childhood growing pains commonly affect children aged 3 to 12. They are characterized by aching or cramping sensations, usually in both legs, often in the thighs, calves, or behind the knees. Discomfort typically starts in the late afternoon or evening and can be severe enough to wake a child, though it disappears by morning.
Despite their name, growing pains are not directly linked to growth spurts. Theories suggest they may be muscle aches from intense physical activity and overuse. Other factors include a lower pain threshold, joint hypermobility, flat feet, or low vitamin D. Growing pains are benign and cause no lasting physical harm.
Causes of Leg Pain in Adults
True “growing pains” related to skeletal development do not occur in adults, as bone growth largely ceases after adolescence. However, adults can experience various forms of leg pain that might mimic the diffuse, achy nature of childhood growing pains. These adult conditions stem from musculoskeletal, vascular, and neurological issues, as well as other factors.
Musculoskeletal Causes
Muscle fatigue and overuse are common culprits for leg pain, particularly after intense physical activity or prolonged standing. This type of pain often manifests as a generalized ache or soreness in the muscles and is usually temporary, resolving with rest.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain throughout the body, including the legs. Leg pain in fibromyalgia can be described as throbbing, shooting, aching, or burning, and may be accompanied by numbness, stiffness, or tingling. The pain can be diffuse and may feel like deep muscular discomfort, sometimes worse at night.
Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause pain in the joints and surrounding tissues of the legs. Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage, leading to pain that often worsens with activity and improves with rest. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can cause persistent joint pain, swelling, and tenderness.
Tendinitis, an inflammation of a tendon, and bursitis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs cushioning joints, can also contribute to localized or radiating leg pain. These conditions result from overuse or injury, causing discomfort that can be a persistent ache.
Vascular Causes
Vascular issues can also lead to leg pain. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. A hallmark symptom is “intermittent claudication,” which is muscle pain or cramping in the legs that occurs during activity and subsides with rest. In severe cases, pain may occur at rest, particularly at night.
Varicose veins, which are enlarged, twisted veins, can cause an achy, heavy feeling in the legs, along with burning, throbbing, or muscle cramping, especially after prolonged standing or sitting. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) involves a blood clot forming in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVT can cause throbbing pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected leg. DVT is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Neurological Causes
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) can cause uncomfortable sensations in the legs, often described as creeping, pulling, throbbing, or an irresistible urge to move them. These sensations typically worsen in the evening or at night when at rest, and temporary relief is found by moving the legs. Sciatica results from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, leading to sharp, burning pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the back of the leg. Peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage often associated with conditions like diabetes, can cause burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp pains, usually in the feet and lower legs.
Other Factors
Other factors contributing to leg pain in adults include certain vitamin deficiencies, such as low vitamin D levels, and some medications as a side effect. These diverse causes highlight why adult leg pain requires careful evaluation to distinguish from the benign nature of childhood growing pains.
When to Consult a Doctor
While many instances of adult leg pain are benign and resolve with rest, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation. Consult a doctor if leg pain is severe, persistent, or progressively worsening. Pain accompanied by swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness in the leg also prompts a medical visit, as these can indicate inflammation or infection.
Seek immediate medical attention if leg pain is associated with fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss, as these may signal a more serious underlying condition. Professional medical advice is advisable if the pain significantly interferes with daily activities or disrupts sleep. Any sudden onset of severe leg pain, particularly in one leg, or pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness, requires urgent assessment.
It is especially important to seek care if symptoms suggest deep vein thrombosis (DVT), such as new swelling, warmth, tenderness, or discoloration in one leg, particularly after prolonged inactivity. These symptoms require prompt medical attention to prevent serious complications. A healthcare provider can provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.