Causes

• Main Causes: Muscle spasms (cramps) and strained muscles from overuse (e.g., excessive throwing or 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 that 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 Pains: 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)