Sever’s disease is the most common cause of heel pain in the growing athlete. It is due to overuse and repetitive microtrauma of growth plates of the heel bone (called the calcaneus). Another name for Sever's disease is calcaneal apophysitis. Mostly seen in children ages 10-13, it is seen in children ranging in age from 7 through 15. During this time, the growth center of the heel bone is still open and children are often active in sports. Adults do not get Sever’s disease because their growth plates have closed. Unfortunately, adults still get heel pain but plantar fasciitis is usually the cause. Sever’s disease occurs more commonly in children who are tight in their Achilles tendon. You will see them walk on the balls of their feet and the heel hardly touches the floor when they walk.
Symptoms
Pain and tenderness in the heel
Difficulty participating in sports
Limping
Relief at rest
Pain when running or jogging
Treatment
Elevating the heel may relieve some of the pain. Children who are active in sports and get heel pain should stretch their hamstrings and calf muscles 2-3 times daily. R.I.C.E may also help and no this is not the rice that we eat. R stands for rest, I is for ice, C is for compression and E is for elevation. Avoiding hard surfaces when running is highly recommended. If your child is having severe pain, an orthotic device may be needed. Surgery is generally not needed for Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease also may go away on its own once the bone is done healing. If your child constantly complains of heel pain after playing sports and you don’t know what to do see us today at SHENANDOAH PODIATRY.
No comments:
Post a Comment