Sever’s Disease is best described as pain in the heel affecting children from the age of 8-15 years old. Often children will complain of pain in one or both heels with running or walking, usually at the back of the heel or under.
Heel pain is common in children as their feet and legs are growing and the heel bone (calcaneus) will not fully develop until the age of 14 or older. During this time, new bone is growing at the growth plate, a weak area located at the back of the heel. Repetitive stress at the growth plate causes inflammation in the area as the growth plate is sensitive to repeated pounding on hard surfaces. Over-pronation (fallen arches and rolling inwards of the feet) will increase stress on the growth plate.
The main signs of Sever’s disease are:
Pain and stiffness around the heel or Achilles tendon after a non-weight bearing period.
Heel pain during physical exercise
Pain increases after exercise.
Soreness, tenderness and swelling on the heel. You might also feel a lump over the painful area.
Limping after sport or in the morning
Tendency to tip toe.
A Doctor or Allied Health professional such as a physiotherapist will be able to diagnose Sever’s Disease by asking the child to describe the symptoms and conduct a physical examination. The child may feel a lot of pain when both sides of the heel are squeezed. This squeeze test is performed by the physician to check if the tendons located at the heel are tight.
There are a few ways to treat Sever’s Disease depending on the severity of pain. Treatment options include:
Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE). Reduce any activity that alleviates or causes pain, ice the affected area and compress it while elevating the foot.
Inflammation can be reduced by taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
Stretching the hamstrings, calf muscles and tendons located at the back of the leg will assist the recovery process.
Orthotic insoles will help to support the foot and prevent over-pronation.
Your physiotherapist has prescribed exercises specifically for you and your path to recovery, practice them as prescribed.
If your pre-injury routine included high-impact exercises or sports, your physiotherapist would work with you to find suitable, alternative, low-impact aerobic activities, like cycling, swimming, or running in the pool.
If the child receives proper care, within two weeks or 2 months, the child will be better. Your child can play sports again and only when the heel pain is gone. It is also important to note that growing pains are reduced when the child grows older.
Sever’s disease can be prevented if the parents help the child to maintain good flexibility when growing up. There are stretching exercises that are found in the link below showing how your child can lower the risk of injuries during the spurt growth.
Always visit your physician to provide you with more advice. Good quality shoes with shock-absorbent soles will help to reduce your chances of risk.
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