Heel pain in kids is one of the more common pathologies seen in the clinic. There are many different causes of heel pain in kids. Such as Heel stress fractures, bursitis, tendinopathy yet Sever’s Disease is by far the most common.
Sever’s Disease is not actually a disease; it is in fact “growing pains” in the heel. It is usually seen between the ages 8-14, and is more common in boys than girls. It is caused by inflammation of the growth plate in in the heel. It usually occurs during a growth spurt and is exacerbated by activity and generally settles with rest. Sports that involve a lot of running, jumping and sprinting tend to make the pain worse. Pain can be experienced during and/or after periods of activity and can last for some days after.
It is important to get an early and accurate diagnosis of the source of your child’s heel pain as there are many different causes. Once diagnosed, early treatment will, in most cases settle the pain quickly. Treatment is varied depending on severity of pain, child’s age, activity levels and sports played. Treatment can include:
- Rest
- Ice
- Footwear changes
- Exercise variation
- Inserts of various types of shoes
Sever’s is a tricky injury as it can continue to cause pain and problems in your child as they grow. Having the tools to be able to manage their pain until their foot stops growing, and thus the pain settles, is very important.