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Arm or Leg Limb Pain

Does this describe your symptom?

 
  • Pains in the arms or legs (limb pain).
  • The pain is not due to a known injury.
  • Minor muscle strain and overuse covered in this quideline.
    Causes: Muscle spasms (cramps) and strained muscles from overuse (e.g., excessive throwing and jumping).
  • Muscle Cramps: Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) are usually due to muscle spasms (cramps). Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps occur during exercise or that awaken your child from sleep.
  • Strained Muscles: Continuous acute pains (hours to 3 days) are usually due to overstrenuous activities or forgotten muscle injuries during the preceding day. Can occur in arms or legs.
  • Growing Pain: 10% of healthy children have intermittent, harmless leg pains that are often referred to as "growing pains" (although they have nothing to do with growth).
  • Viral Infections: Muscle aches are common with viral illness, especially influenza.
  • Serious causes: Fractures or swollen joints (arthritis).

If not, see these other symptoms

  1. Should I Call?
  2. Care at Home

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000-2008. Barton D. Schmitt, MD
Reviewed/Modified: Sept 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


© 2007 Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah. All Rights Reserved.