Kids Leg Pain

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Kids Leg Pain

funded research aiming to change how we , , & treat kids' leg |

30/03/2026

New Research Alert!

Many families know how challenging it can be to get clear answers, the right diagnosis, or consistent treatment. One way to improve this is through strong, evidence‑based clinical guidelines.

We asked Australian health professionals and parents to help us identify the top 10 conditions most in need of guideline development. These include conditions like growing pains, generalised joint hypermobility, juvenile arthritis, flat feet, joint instability, and more.

This is a crucial step toward better support, clearer pathways, and more consistent care for young people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Read full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-026-06600-4

27/03/2026

Meet Dr Louise Tofts

Dr Louise Tofts is a rehabilitation medicine paediatrician holding Australian fellowships in both specialties and a Masters in Sports Medicine from UNSW.

She has expertise in joint hypermobility, persistent musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, difficulty learning motor skills, congenital musculoskeletal conditions, athletes with a physical disability and exercise and rehabilitation programs for children following injury or illness.

We are proud to have her on our Kids Leg Pain Research Team

You can read more about Louise’s research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Louise-Tofts

23/03/2026

Research Spotlight from the Kids Leg Pain Team!

We’ve recently completed a scoping review on chronic lower limb musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents.

Here’s what we found:
We reviewed 418 research papers
Common causes of chronic lower limb pain included juvenile idiopathic arthritis, chronic musculoskeletal pain, spasticity‑related pain, and post‑surgical conditions

Take‑home message: Many childhood conditions may be linked to chronic musculoskeletal leg pain, but only a small number are consistently recognised and coded in the literature. This limits visibility and makes it harder for clinicians, families, and policymakers to understand the full picture.

You can explore the full paper here: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/10/e082801.full

20/03/2026

Meet Professor Verity Pacey!

We’re excited to introduce another incredible leader of our Kids Leg Pain Research Team.

Verity is a Professor of Physiotherapy at Macquarie University with over 15 years of clinical experience working with children and families. She is known internationally for her expertise in Connective Tissue Dysplasias and other rare, complex paediatric conditions, focusing on helping kids move, participate and enjoy a better quality of life.

Verity is also an award‑winning educator who supports students and clinicians as they take on higher degree research. Her teaching and leadership have been recognised through a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and an Australian Award for University Teaching citation.

You can read more about Verity’s research here: https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/verity-pacey

16/03/2026

Free Webinar Alert!

We’re excited to share our Kids Leg Pain webinar featuring Prof Jane Munro, who presents an accessible and up‑to‑date overview of juvenile arthritis.

Whether you’re a parent, clinician, educator or community member, this webinar is a fantastic resource for understanding how juvenile arthritis affects kids and how we can better support their health and wellbeing

Watch the full webinar here:
https://lnkd.in/gmc3JVWa

13/03/2026

Meet Professor Cylie Williams!
We’re excited to spotlight one of the incredible experts and leader of our Kids Leg Pain Research Team.

Cylie is a clinical researcher, educator and leader with a passion for helping children with lower limb conditions. She’s internationally known for her work in idiopathic toe walking, and her research has helped families and clinicians around the world get clearer answers and better pathways to care. Her “Toe Walking Tool” is now used globally and even appears in guidance shared by major health organisations.
Alongside her research, Cylie plays a key role in educating future podiatrists and shaping the allied health workforce across Australia. We’re grateful for her expertise, leadership and dedication to improving children’s health.

You can read more about Cylie's research here: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/cylie-williams

03/03/2026

New Publication from Our Kids Leg Pain Research Team!
We’re excited to share that our PhD student Steff Ball and the team have published a new Cochrane protocol titled:
“Treatment for primary avascular necrosis of the lower limb in childhood.”

This work is an important step toward improving care and outcomes for children experiencing rare and painful bone conditions.

Read the full open‑access article here: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD016326/full

Congratulations to Steff and our wonderful collaborators for this fantastic achievement!

24/02/2026

Great opportunity to support amazing kids’ pain research!
Kids pain researcher Jen Norton and team are running an exciting project to help improve care for children living with chronic pain - and they’re looking for families and health professionals to take part in upcoming co‑design workshops!

There are two ways you can get involved in the coming weeks:
❤️ Red poster: For children aged 10–14 who experience chronic pain, and their parent/caregiver.
💙 Blue poster: For Australian health professionals who work with children experiencing chronic pain.
Your insights will directly help shape future supports, services, and resources for young people living with persistent pain.

If you’re interested - or even if you just want more information - please contact Jen Norton at: jen.norton@monash.edu
Jen would love to hear if you can:
(a) participate,
(b) pass the opportunity on, or
(c) share any suggestions.

🔗 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gkKHBVZh
Thank you for helping make a difference! 💛
Ethics approval: ETH25-11732

18/02/2026

Has your child been told they have growing pains?
Monash University researchers want to hear from families about what this experience is really like.

We’re looking for children aged 6–12 and one parent/caregiver to take part in a 30–60 minute interview (online or in person). You’ll be asked about your child’s growing pains, how it affects daily life, and what support you feel is important.

Participants will receive a $50 AUD thank‑you payment.

If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Mitchell Smith at: mitchell.smith@monash.edu
You can also scan the QR code on the flyer to learn more.

Please feel free to share with anyone who might be eligible — your insights can help improve the way health professionals support families.

28/01/2026

How should parents respond when their child is in pain?
A comforting hug? Encouraging bravery? Something in between?

A new article written by our colleague Joshua Pate for The Conversation breaks down what science tells us about how parents shape children’s pain responses — not just in the moment, but for years to come.

This is an issue we see all the time in our Kids Leg Pain Research, where children’s emotional responses often influence how they experience — and recover from — leg pain.

Read the full article here:
https://theconversation.com/comfort-them-or-let-them-tough-it-out-how-parents-shape-a-childs-pain-response-269811

Proud to support research that helps families understand pain better and feel more confident caring for their kids.

22/12/2025

Season’s Greetings from the Kids Leg Pain Research Team!

We’re grateful for the incredible support from families, professionals, and communities who share our mission to improve kids’ health.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the new year!

Thank you for being part of our story.

15/12/2025

Parents – we need your help!
If your child (aged 6–12) has been told they have growing pains, we’d love to hear from you.
Our Monash University research team is exploring how growing pains impact families and how clinicians can better support you.

Take part in an interview and receive a $50 gift card

Scan the QR code or click this link to participate https://monash.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3F4B57bzlI7vBOK

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Moorooduc Highway
Frankston, VIC
3199

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https://www.kidslegpain.au/

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