Children’s Heel Pain (Sever’s Disease): A Quick Guide
Winter sports season is here, and with it comes an increase in kids experiencing heel pain, especially those who play rugby or football. If your child has been complaining about heel pain, struggling to keep up on the field, or running differently, they may be dealing with something called Sever’s disease.
What Is Sever’s Disease?
First, don’t let the name scare you, it’s not actually a disease. Sever’s disease, or Calcaneal Apophysitis, is a common condition in active, growing children, especially those aged 7 to 14. It’s more common in boys because they tend to grow faster during this age range. The condition is caused by inflammation of the growth plate in the heel, which happens as bones grow faster than the muscles can keep up, causing irritation and discomfort.
Symptoms of Sever’s Disease
The most common symptom of Sever’s disease is heel pain, but here’s what to watch out for:
Pain or tenderness at the back or bottom of the heel.
Swelling or redness around the heel area.
Stiffness, especially when waking up or after physical activity.
Difficulty walking, running, or participating in sports.
An unusual gait or noticeable limping.
These symptoms can worsen with high-impact activities like running or jumping, especially on hard surfaces.
Why Does It Happen?
When kids are running, jumping, or playing on hard surfaces (think dry, packed rugby fields), the repeated impact can worsen the irritation in the heel. This is why the condition often shows up or gets worse at the start of the rugby and football seasons.
How Can You Manage It?
While you can’t completely prevent Sever’s disease, there are ways to reduce discomfort and help your child stay active:
Avoid hard surfaces: Limit running and playing on hard, dry grounds.
Choose the right footwear: Supportive shoes/football boots with plenty of cushioning and a higher heel pitch to reduce train on the heel.
Try heel raises: Adding heel raises to your child’s shoes can help reduce strain on the heel.
Strapping: A low-dye strapping may reduce pain by supporting the arch and reducing strain on the heel.
Rest, ice, and elevate: Give the heel a break, ice it to reduce inflammation, and keep it elevated to avoid further pain.
Orthotics: Thin but supportive orthotics that can help alleviate heel pain while fitting comfortably into football boots.
If your child’s heel pain persists, book an appointment with Feet Forward Podiatry. We provide tailored advice and treatment to help your child manage Sever’s disease and get back to playing sports pain-free.
