Recurrent limb pain in childhood ('growing pains')

Recurrent limb pain in childhood has long been recognized as a problem not only troublesome to children, but also to parents and professionals. Attempts at investigating this condition over the last century have produced a number of conflicting terms, definitions, theories and results. Unfortunately, the nature of this condition remains poorly understood and under-researched and there is certainly not a recognized method for its treatment. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature and to highlight the possible contribution of further research. It is essential that the term ‘recurrent limb pain in childhood’ (RLPC) should be adopted to avoid some of the difficulties with the term ‘growing pains’.