During puberty , the child's bones will grow rapidly and may experience musculoskeletal disorders. Osteoarthritis pain during puberty is normal, but sometimes a sign of concern. Let's find out!
What is osteoarthritis pain in puberty?
Osteoarthritis pain during puberty is also known as growth pain. At this time, the child will have pain in the joints but of unknown location and much pain at night. This is a completely normal developmental phenomenon. But in some cases, bone pain during puberty can be a sign of some serious medical problem.
Osteoarthritis pain in puberty accounts for about 10-20% of all children
Puberty aches and pains usually occur deep in the femur, lower legs, pelvis, lumbar spine and rarely appear on the upper extremities. Babies often have dull pain to severe pain at night, but not inflammation, high fever and limited mobility.
The cause of osteoarthritis pain in puberty
Bones grow too fast: Some babies develop their bodies too quickly, so the muscles and bones cannot grow on time. The bones are continually elongating, while the muscle fibers running along the bone canal cannot keep up. From there, causing muscle tension, causing pain in the joints.
Lack of calcium: When a child's body lacks calcium, it will cause muscle contraction disorder, leading to the phenomenon of muscle and joint pain.
Overweight, obesity: Making the body weight much greater than the immature endurance of the musculoskeletal system.
Children are too active and playful, leading to impact, affecting the development of bones and joints.
Overweight children often experience pain in the lower back and knee joints
Identifying signs of osteoarthritis pain in puberty
Puberty of osteoarthritis can be frequent but intermittent. Their signs also depend on the location of the pain. Here are some common signs:
Leg pain: Children often experience dull aches and pains in unclear locations. Children are still learning, normal activities. The pain should go away on its own after a few days.
Back pain: Usually the cause is due to too much exercise. However, it could also be due to a spinal problem. During puberty, children are very susceptible to scoliosis due to the habit of hunched over, sitting in the wrong position or wearing a heavy bag for a long time. If the pain does not go away but continues to persist, it can cause a number of serious illnesses such as: scoliosis, calcification of the spine, slippage of the disc ...
Heel pain: Common in naughty, active boys. When the child's bones and joints grow too fast while the muscles, tendons, and ligaments cannot keep up, thereby causing the cartilage in the leg to be damaged.
Arthralgia: The cause is often due to strong impact, high intensity exercise, playing sports with high intensity.
Swollen red hot, stiff knee pain: This pathology usually occurs within a few years, even lasting through adulthood. It can cause degenerative stiffness, especially joints in the fingers and hands.
Children may have a scoliosis
What medical conditions can puberty osteoarthritis be related to?
Osteoarthritis pain during puberty usually does not require medical treatment and will go away on its own. But sometimes it can be a sign of some serious spinal and joint problems affecting the child's development:
Vitamin D deficiency
The pain caused by vitamin D deficiency will quickly be controlled and reversed if the child is adequately supplemented with vitamin D.
Injury
Some injuries to the muscles, bones, and joints can cause pain, redness and swelling, and impaired mobility.
Children can be injured by impact while playing
Increased dynamism
The joints of children with hyperactivity or hyperactivity may shift beyond the normal range of activities. Causes muscle pain and stiffness. These pain will be improved if the child sits still and rest, so parents can be assured.
Teenage rheumatoid arthritis
The typical symptoms of this pathology are: child weight loss, fatigue, joint pain, swelling, rash in affected areas, lymphatic disorder ...
Fibromyalgia syndrome
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that can cause fatigue and pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Symptoms include: Child has headache, anxiety, insomnia, lack of concentration.
Restless leg syndrome
This is a phenomenon that the patient's legs are always wanting to be active. Stems from neurological disorders, causing pain, discomfort inside the joints.
Bone cancer
This is a rare disease in children and adolescents. Children often have severe pain at night or with exercise. When the tumor appears in the leg, the child will limp. In addition, the child's bones become brittle, weak, and brittle.
When to see a doctor?
If the pain is severe, persistent and accompanied by some of the following symptoms, parents should bring their children to see a doctor immediately:
Unusual fever rash
Fatigue, weakness
Osteoarthritis pain in the morning and lasts all day
Impatience or difficulty walking
Children lose appetite, lose weight, are less active
Swollen red hot joints in the legs
Black urine, especially after a lot of exercise.
Treatments for osteoarthritis pain in puberty
Home care
To help children quickly improve their aches and pains, parents can hold, massage gently, and use hot compresses to ease the pain. In addition, parents should encourage children to practice relaxation and stretching exercises; Let the child dry in the sun to supplement vitamin D ...
Some foods are rich in vitamin D
Drug treatment
If the child has severe pain , the doctor will prescribe a number of drugs that work to reduce pain, strengthen bone and joint function, and prevent damage. For example: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Naproxen sodium, ibuprofen ...), slow acting anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids ...
Puberty osteoarthritis can show up in any child. Parents need to actively update their knowledge and take care of their children in a scientific way, to accompany their children through this early stage of development. If some unusual symptoms are detected, parents should take their children to see a doctor for prompt advice and treatment.
See more:
What milk should rickets children drink to stop stunting malnutrition?
Understand teen children: Easy or difficult?
What knowledge do parents need to teach their children when they have early puberty?