Heel Pain In Children(Sever's Disease)
What is Sever’s disease?
Sever’s Disease is the term used for heel pain in children. It is the inflammation of the growth plate (calcaneal apophysis) of the heel bone.
Symptoms
Children often complain of pain in the heel area of the foot. Pain initially occurs only after physical activity (like playing football) however, if timely preventative measures are not taken, over time, the pain could occur during physical activity as well
Causes
When the child is growing the muscles and bones grow. A stage may come when the muscles are still catching up to match the growth of the bone. In case of Sever’s disease, the Achilles tendon that attaches to the back of the heel may exert a slight pull on the growth plate of the heel. Increased physical activity and pressure on the heel area could cause pain.
Who can get Sever’s disease?
Sever’s disease occurs mostly in athletically active children between 8-15 years of age. It is more common in boys.
Risks
Sever’s disease could limit performance and participation in sports. If not attended to in a timely manner, it may limit daily activities as well.
Treatment
- Modification to the child’s physical activities to reduce pressure on the affected area
- Icing the affected area and doing excercises recommended by the Podiatrist
- Use of cushioned heel raises to absorb pressure
- Use of foot orthotics in case of flat feet