Muscle and joint pain is very common in children and is most often due to temporary, benign causes. However, swelling of a joint and limited range of motion should always be taken seriously.

Common and Benign Causes

  • Muscle pain due to viral infections: Widespread muscle pain is especially typical in influenza; it resolves once the infection clears
  • Growing pains: Leg pains that come at night and disappear by morning (detailed article)
  • Muscle strains caused by excessive exercise, falls or overexertion
  • Transient (toxic) synovitis: Temporary hip pain and limping after a viral infection; usually resolves within a few days

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • Swelling, redness, increased warmth in a joint and marked limitation of movement
  • Severe pain in a single joint together with high fever (septic arthritis — an emergency)
  • Refusal to walk or to bear weight on the leg
  • Morning stiffness and joint complaints lasting longer than 6 weeks (juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
  • Migratory joint pain after a streptococcal infection (acute rheumatic fever — can affect the heart)
  • Accompanying rash, weight loss, night sweats, paleness

Approach

For benign muscle pain, rest, warm applications and pain relief when needed are sufficient. When warning signs are present, evaluation is carried out with a physical examination, blood tests and, if necessary, imaging; for rheumatologic or infectious causes, collaboration is established with the relevant specialties. Since FMF, which is common in our region, can also cause joint pain, this disease is kept in mind in cases of recurrent attacks.

📅 Online appointment for your child: Uzm. Dr. Hasan Keleş — appointment page

Related articles: Growing pains · FMF · Streptococcal infection

This article is for general information purposes only and is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment. For any concerns about your child's health, be sure to consult a pediatric specialist.

Uzm. Dr. Hasan Keleş — Specialist in Pediatric Health and Diseases, Gaziantep