Hey there, parents! If your child has been complaining about heel pain or walking on their tiptoes, you might be wondering what’s going on. One common culprit is something called Sever’s disease. Don’t worry—it sounds scarier than it is! As a podiatrist at ProFeet Podiatry on the Gold Coast, I’m here to share the essentials about this condition and how we can keep your kids happy and active.
What’s Sever’s Disease All About?
Sever’s disease, or calcaneal apophysitis, is actually not a disease in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s an overuse injury where the Achilles tendon pulls on the growth plate in your child’s heel bone and causes irritation and inflammation. It typically strikes during those growth spurts when kids are running around playing sports or just being active. You may notice:
- Heel pain, especially during or after activities
- Tenderness or swelling in the heel area
- A bit of a struggle when walking or playing, especially barefoot
The good news is that Sever’s is only temporary and will disappear once your child reaches maturity!
How Do We Diagnose It?
Most of the time, a simple physical exam is enough to diagnose Sever’s disease matching it up with the common clinical signs like heel pain, activity related pains and also the child’s age (ranging from as young as 6 years up to 14 years). But if the pain hangs around, we might use imaging, like X-rays, to make sure nothing else is going on.
Let’s Talk Treatment – Managing Sever’s Disease Like a Pro
So, how do we tackle this condition together?
Managing this condition is all about balance. Here are some tips to keep your little ones active while they heal:
- Modify Activities
- Swap high-impact activities (running, jumping, most school sports) for low-impact ones like swimming or cycling
- Reduce the time they spend training or on the field just while the pain is settling
- Stretch it Out
- Gentle stretching of the calves can relieve the tension on the painful heels
- Deep tissue massage or foam rolling of the calves are also great techniques to relieve calf tightness
- Orthotics (insoles) can make a world of difference
- These are specially designed inserts that improve the efficiency of how the foot moves, and helps to reduce strain on the heel.
- They can be especially beneficial for active kids who need that extra layer of comfort and assistance.
- Thin and flexibility is key to ensure these are comfortable, fit inside the shoes and still allow the foot to move like a foot!
- Footwear Matters
Supportive shoes are a must, especially for sports. The best one would be those that have a thick, foam sole for max cushioning and offloading the heel during activities.
Have a check of your kids shoes to see they’re still a good fit, any wearing of the soles
Avoid barefoot at all times: being barefoot will constantly stretch that tight calf muscle and the direct contact on the ground will increase pressure on the heels. Wearing a good Archie’s thongs, slides or Crocs can continue the offloading at home as well.
Easy Exercises to Try
Incorporating gentle exercises can help with recovery and strengthen those muscles increase your child’s capacity to continue staying active:
- Calf stretches: Lean against a wall with one foot forward and keep that back heel down.
- Heel raises: Stand on their toes and slowly lower back down—great for building strength!
- Toe Taps: While seated, tap those toes on the ground to improve flexibility.
Wrapping Up
If your child is dealing with heel pain, don’t hesitate to reach out! With the right care and management, Sever’s disease can be handled effectively, allowing your little ones to jump back into their favourite activities. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
For more information or to schedule an appointment, come see us at ProFeet Podiatry Gold Coast. Let’s work together to keep your kids active and thriving!
Seny Cha
