Before you start to worry, rest assured. Sever’s disease is not an actual disease but a painful condition that will resolve. Clinically referred to as Calcaneal Apophysitis, Sever’s has often been referred to as ‘growing pains’, though this does not describe how and why the pain occurs. Sever’s is actually the abnormal tension (pull) on the heel bone and its growth plate in kids. Growth plates are located on the ends of growing bones and will eventually turn into solid bone when we reach full maturity. As we grow, our bones, muscles and tissues all grow and lengthen too. In Sever’s, the Achilles (which also connects to the calves) hasn’t elongated at the same rate that the heel bone has been growing, the resulting tension and pull on the back of the heel becomes very painful.
Symptoms typically occur during a period of growth, particularly between 8-14 years and include:
Any additional factors that cause increased strain on the achilles/calves/heels can exacerbate this pain, including:
They key is to not only settle the symptoms but treat the cause, that is, reduce the abnormal pull on the heel from the achilles. After using rest and ice to reduce the pain if it arises, treatment to eliminate Sever’s pain long-term may include the combination of:
While Sever’s is a frustrating, painful and upsetting condition, you don’t need to put up with it or wait months hoping that it will resolve. Your Podiatrist will get your little one back on the field and doing the things they love as quickly as possible.
To read about our Senior Podiatrist and Managing Director Troy Parsons and his battle with heel pain, click here: Growing Pain Explained - What's Going On?
Two weeks with Calcaneal Spur and finally got to see Doc. He sent me to Kevin @ Eleven and with One Appointment, he had me walking without Crutches. Yes! It still hurt. Did the Stretching, Rolling my Foot on a Spikey ball and Iced it occasionally. Return visit, after he had his Holiday, and I' am walking fine. They do NOT want to see me again, unless it deteriorates. Which it has not :-)