Sever’s Disease
What Is Sever’s Disease?
Sever’s disease a common condition that affects children which causes heel pain at the back of the heel. This condition occurs often in children after or during activities such as sport. This heel pain can prevent children from performing well at sport and enjoying the playground. Sever’s disease describes an inflammation of the heel bone by the growth plate (otherwise known as calcaneal apophysitis) which may cause pain. This is condition presents like Achilles Tendinopathy or Achilles Tendinitis and is treated similarly.
What Causes Sever’s Disease?
The cause of Sever’s Disease in children and adolescents is thought to be a result of rapid growth, overuse, and overload on the growth plate of the heel. The pain may occur as a result of the pulling of the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel bone and the plantar fascia at the bottom of the heel. This traction force may be worsened by tight calf muscles and pronated feet (feet that excessively roll inwards).
Sever’s disease does go away after the growth plate in the heel bone fuses or closes. This type of injury can still affect a child’s ability to participate in sport, social and physical activity and podiatrists can assist in providing relief.
Our experienced podiatrists at Bondi Podiatry can diagnose, assess and manage Sever’s disease and other types of heel pain.
Book online or call us for an initial assessment.
Who Is Affected By Sever’s Disease?
This type of foot pain is most commonly seen in active children (males more than females) between the ages of 8 to 15 years old in years of rapid growth. This type of heel pain can affect children’s ability to take part in sports and playground activities. Children may complain of pain after sports like football, soccer, netball, tennis, and basketball.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sever’s Disease?
Symptoms of this condition may include limping and complaining of sore heels during and immediately after activity. In severe cases, children may present with pain before activity and first step pain when getting up from rest or in the morning and children may even walk on toes.
An experienced podiatrist may find that the child reports discomfort when squeezing behind the heel bone from either side of the heel.
Where Can I Get Help For Heel Pain?
Bondi Podiatry can offer a comprehensive and detailed assessment and provide a management plan to get your child moving and back to sports and social activities as quickly as possible.
Book an appointment online with our caring and friendly podiatrists or call us on (02) 8971 1682.
What is the best treatment for Sever’s Disease?
Sever’s disease is a self-limiting condition and resolves once the growth plates close. Treatment will depend on how much pain the patient is experiencing. Your podiatrist will guide you on which management options are appropriate for you.
Some treatment options may include:
Ice after sport/ activity and other anti-inflammatory techniques
Shoe inserts and/or modifications (these will be specific to your child)
Activity review and training errors
Stretching and strengthening exercises (including Alfredson’s protocol)
Orthotics with specific modifications for Sever’s disease
Footwear advice
Taping prior to the activity
It is important to consider that other conditions may also cause heel pain in children. Fractures, ankle sprains, tendinitis, and other conditions may result in similar symptoms and it is important that you see an experienced podiatrist to thoroughly assess your child’s heel pain prior to providing a diagnosis and management plan.
We treat feet from all over Sydney, particularly the Eastern Suburbs. As podiatrists in Bondi Junction, we are happy to treat anyone that comes to our Sydney clinic. Our local area includes Bondi Junction, Bondi, Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Rose Bay, Tamarama, Coogee, Randwick, Bellevue Hill, Dover Heights, Vaucluse, and Edgecliff.
Book an appointment online with our caring and friendly podiatrists or call us on (02) 8971 1682.
