Is It Growing Pains or a Sports Injury? A Parent’s Guide for Young Athletes
If your middle school or high school athlete starts complaining of pain after practice, it can be hard to know what’s normal and what needs attention.
Is it just part of growing?
Or is it the beginning of a sports injury?
With more kids participating in year-round and competitive sports, parents are increasingly faced with this exact question. Understanding the difference can help your athlete recover faster — and avoid more serious injuries down the road.
What Are Growing Pains?
“Growing pains” is a common term used to describe benign muscle aches in children, typically between ages 8–14.
Despite the name, they’re not directly caused by growth itself, but they are associated with periods of increased activity and development.
According to Cleveland Clinic, growing pains typically:
Occur in both legs (often calves, thighs, or behind the knees)
Show up later in the day or at night
Improve by morning
Do not cause swelling, limping, or loss of function
Key takeaway: Growing pains may be uncomfortable, but they don’t usually limit your child’s ability to play sports.
What Does a Sports Injury Look Like?
Sports injuries tend to present differently.
Instead of coming and going randomly, they are often linked directly to activity and tend to worsen over time if ignored.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that many youth sports injuries are actually overuse injuries, caused by repetitive stress without enough recovery.
Common signs of a sports injury:
Pain during or after activity
Pain in a specific location (not both sides)
Swelling or tenderness around a joint
Pain that persists for several days or weeks
Changes in movement (limping, avoiding certain motions)
Common injury areas in youth athletes include:
Knees (especially below the kneecap)
Heels (common in running and jumping sports)
Shoulders (throwing sports)
Hips (cutting and rotational sports)
Why Youth Athletes Are More Vulnerable
Kids and teens are not just “small adults.”
Their bodies are still developing, which makes them more susceptible to certain types of injuries — especially around growth plates, which are areas of developing tissue near the ends of long bones.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that growth plates are weaker than surrounding ligaments and tendons, making them more vulnerable to stress during sports.
At the same time, many young athletes are:
Playing on multiple teams
Training year-round
Specializing in one sport early
This combination increases the risk of overuse injuries, particularly when rest and recovery are limited.
Symptoms Parents Should Watch For
Most injuries don’t start with a dramatic moment.
They often begin as something small — soreness, tightness, or mild discomfort — that gradually becomes more consistent.
Pay attention if your athlete has:
1. Pain that keeps coming back
If your child complains of the same pain after multiple practices or games.
2. Swelling around a joint
This is a key sign the body is reacting to stress or injury.
3. Changes in movement
Limping, favoring one side, or avoiding certain movements.
4. Pain that affects performance
If they’re not running, jumping, or throwing like they normally do.
The STOP Sports Injuries initiative emphasizes that early recognition of these symptoms is critical to preventing more serious injuries.
When Is It Safe to Keep Playing?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask.
Athletes are naturally driven to push through discomfort — but not all pain is safe to ignore.
It’s generally okay to continue playing if:
Pain is mild and short-lived
It improves quickly with rest
There is no swelling
Your athlete moves normally
Symptoms do not return consistently
It may be time to pause and get guidance if:
Pain lasts longer than 3–5 days
Symptoms worsen with activity
There is visible swelling
Your child is limping or compensating
Pain is affecting performance
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine recommends early evaluation of persistent pain to avoid long-term issues and time away from sport.
The Risk of “Playing Through Pain”
One of the biggest mistakes young athletes make is ignoring early warning signs.
What starts as a minor issue can become:
Chronic tendon irritation
Growth plate stress injuries
More significant joint injuries
Research consistently shows that early intervention leads to faster recovery and fewer missed games.
When to Consider a Professional Evaluation
If you’re unsure whether your child’s pain is normal or something more, getting a second opinion can provide clarity.
A sports physical therapy evaluation can help identify:
Movement patterns that increase injury risk
Strength or mobility limitations
Areas being overloaded during sport
Early signs of overuse injuries
From there, athletes can follow a plan designed to help them recover safely and return to sport with confidence.
The Bottom Line for Parents
Not all pain in young athletes is the same.
Growing pains are usually temporary, general, and don’t affect performance
Sports injuries tend to be consistent, activity-related, and progressively worse
Recognizing the difference early can help your athlete:
Recover faster
Avoid more serious injury
Stay active and confident in their sport
Not Sure What Your Athlete Needs?
If your child is dealing with pain during or after sports, you don’t have to guess.
At Pursuit Physical Therapy, we help young athletes:
recover from injuries
improve movement and strength
safely return to the sports they love
“Stay in the Game” Package
✔ 1 full movement + injury evaluation
✔ 5 personalized physical therapy sessions
✔ A sport-specific return-to-play plan
