What Is Sever’s Disease?
With the warmer weather approaching, it's time to get out outside and begin again all those outdoor activities that our children love. It is great to see our kids outside playing and having fun, but all of that exercise and running around can cause problems.
Calcaneal apophysitis, also known as sever’s disease, is one of the most common foot problems a child will experience, especially if they are more active. It typically causes pain in the heel and can become swollen and painful to the point it can cause walking to be difficult.
What is sever’s disease?
Sever’s disease is most often triggered by over-use, stress or a sports injury. It is when the growth plate in the back of the heel becomes inflamed and sore, causing pain when walking and exercising.
But what is the growth plate? This is an area of cartilage under the heel of the foot in which the bone can grow; it is also attached to the calf muscle by the Achilles tendon. It's common among children and teens for the bones to grow faster than muscles, cartilage and tendons, especially while going through puberty. Due to the foot being one of the fastest-growing body parts, the Achilles tendon can become very tight and cause irritation in the growth plate.
Spotting the symptoms of sever’s disease
While it can become present in one heel, sever’s disease is most commonly found in both heels. Pain will begin to occur underneath the heel at the back of the foot; it usually develops gradually and worsens over time. Certain activities, such as running and jumping, can worsen the problem. Sever’s disease can even make walking difficult; if you notice your child walking with a limp or avoiding pressure on the heel, it might be time to take them to a podiatrist for a check-up. Some other symptoms of sever’s disease include:
Redness in the heel
Swelling in the heel
Tenderness to touch on the heel
Treating sever’s disease
Fortunately, there are several effective ways that sever’s disease can be treated, some of which can be done at home. Here's what you should do if you're suffering from sever’s disease:
Rest - This is perhaps the most important; your body needs time to heal. When resting your heel, try to keep it elevated. If you notice one activity is more painful than others, you should avoid it where possible.
Apply Ice - Ice will help to slow circulation in the affected painful area and, in turn, slow down inflammation and prevent some pain.
Take anti-inflammatory drugs - If the pain is very bad, you can take some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. This will also help to reduce swelling and pain.
Stretch and Strengthen - We all know it's essential to stretch before and after exercise, but those aren't the only times we should stretch. Stretching your calf and hamstring can help to ease the tension and pain created by servers diease and many more. Exercising and strengthening certain parts of the body will help to prevent issues before they arise.
Choose the right footwear - The right footwear choice is vital, even more so when we are younger. When your feet are younger and still developing and growing, they should be supported in that process. Poor footwear choices could cause foot problems to develop at a younger age and, if not resolved, will only worsen with age. You should ensure that your shoes give ample support around the arch and ankle of your foot and that they are the right shoes for the exercise you're doing.
Heel support - Orthotics can help give the support that you need and prevent pain from servers disease. They can also aid in correcting posture and preventing pain felt in other areas of the metaphorical biomechanical chain.
Avoid the issue altogether - In every case, preventing something before it ever becomes a problem will always be the best solution. Regular foot assessments and professional footwear advice for growing children will help to prevent issues before they ever arise.
If your child is showing signs of pain or you would simply like a second opinion on a foot-related issue, call us! We will be happy to help! Alternatively, you can use our easy online booking system to book an appointment to come see us.
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.