Sever’s disease is an overuse injury common in younger children and adolescents who participate in running or jumping activities. This condition is caused by repetitive injury to the growth plate in the heel. If your child has Sever’s disease, they will often exhibit heel pain that begins gradually and worsens with exercise, affects both feet, and improves with rest. They may also exhibit tenderness in their heel when it is touched, pain when the ankle is raised upward, and mild swelling in the heel. In cases that have lasted for a longer period of time, your child may also have an enlarged heel bone. If your child complains of heel pain, it is recommended that you seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat Sever’s disease and other foot and ankle conditions.
Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Pennsylvania. 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 Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.
