Overview

Many children have minor aches and pains from overuse or injury to muscles and joints. Joint injuries often happen during sports or recreation. An overuse injury can happen when your child puts too much stress on a joint or does an activity that stresses the joint over and over. Examples include using the computer or swinging a baseball bat.

You can take steps at home to help your child's muscles and joints get better. Your child should feel better in 1 to 2 weeks. But it can take 3 months or more to heal completely.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Your child can weight bear as tolerated on the injured joint, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.
• Wrap the injury in an elastic bandage. Do not wrap it too tightly. It could cause more swelling.
• Put ice or a cold pack on the sore joint for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this 3 to 4 times a day for the first 2 to 3 days. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your child's skin.
• Prop up the sore joint on a pillow when you ice it or anytime your child sits or lies down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your child's heart. This will help reduce swelling.
• After 2 or 3 days, you can try applying heat to the area that hurts. Apply heat for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Types of heat therapy include microwavable packs and disposable heating patches. You might also try switching between ice and heat.
• Ask your doctor if you can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Too much acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be harmful.
• Encourge your child to start to move the joint gently. While the joint is still healing, your child can start to exercise using activities that don't strain or hurt the painful joint.