If your child is complaining about painful or swollen heels, or you have noticed them avoiding putting weight on their heels, they may have a condition known as Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease is an irritation of the growth plate in the heel bone. During puberty, when bones tend to grow more rapidly than muscles and tendons, these tissues can tighten and lose flexibility in response. If this tightening happens in the Achilles tendon, which attaches to heel bone, it can pull on the heel and irritate its growth plate. Sever’s disease is most common in children going through a growth spurt and who are physically active, especially with sports involving repetitive running and jumping. The condition typically occurs in children aged 10-12, before the heel bone has completely hardened. If you suspect your child may be experiencing Sever’s disease, take them to see a podiatrist who can diagnose the issue and help treat the pain and discomfort.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, PA. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Stuart and Jupiter, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.