Heel pain is common in young people between the ages of 10 and 14. It is usually the result of irritation to the growth plate at the back of the heel bone. If the muscles do not keep up with the rate of bone growth as the child grows, there may be increased stress through the muscle attachment at the heel. This growth related heel pain is commonly referred to as Severs Disease.
Symptoms
Children with Sever’s disease are typically participate in running or jumping sports such as, football, basketball, netball and gymnastics. The typical complaint is heel pain that develops slowly and occurs with activity. The pain is usually described like a bruise. There is rarely swelling or visible bruising. The pain is usually worse with running in shoes that have limited heel lift, cushion, and arch support. The pain usually goes away with rest and appropriate stretching exercises.
Treatment
The following are different treatment options:
Rest and modify activity. Limit running and high-impact activity to rest the heel and reduce the pain. Choose one running or jumping sport to play at a time. Substitute low-impact cross-training activities to maintain cardiovascular fitness. This can include biking and swimming. Avoid bare foot walking around the house.
Reduce inflammation. Ice for at least 20 minutes after activity or when pain increases.
Stretch the calf. Increase calf flexibility by doing calf stretches for 30 to 45 seconds several times per day.
Please note that Severs is the most common cause of heel pain in a growing child, however it is not the only cause. Please book in for a full physiotherapy assessment for a diagnosis to be made and an appropriate treatment plan to be carried out.