Sever's Heel Pain (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
What is Sever's of the foot?
Severs 'disease' is a growth plate related disorder of the heel bone.
How is it commonly injured?
Sever's usually occurs in boys aged between 10-14, and girls a little younger at 8-13. This is when the heel bone is maturing into its adult form - the calcaneus.
The Achilles tendon attaches into this sever's growth plate and active children can occasionally develop this painful heel disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of severs?
Pain after activity and sometimes during
Pain during rest periods during sports eg: half time or full-time of sport
Pain on palpation on the Sever's plate
The children will 'run funny" due to stiffness and pain in the heel area
No swelling is noted
No bruising is noted
Management Techniques
Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation: all these techniques help to control the swelling and pain
Maintenance of strength losses via specific foot exercises
Maintenance of range of motion loss via specific foot exercises
Massage of the calf area can help reduce the tension on the area
Orthotics can help reduce the tension on the Achilles and severs plate
If your child is suffering the above signs or symptoms of severs and you would like to look further. We have a 4-week online program dedicated to reducing your child's pain.