Sever’s Disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is when the growth plate of the heel bone becomes irritated and inflamed. This growth plate attaches to the Achilles’ tendon and in active children is a common cause of heel pain.
Sever’s Disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is when the growth plate of the heel bone becomes irritated and inflamed. This growth plate attaches to the Achilles’ tendon and in active children is a common cause of heel pain.
As children go through growth spurts between the ages of 8–13, the bones grow faster than the tendons. As the tendons become stretched and tight, they pull on the bone. With repetitive stress this can cause damage to the growth plate resulting in pain and irritation.
Factors that can contribute to Sever’s Disease are:
Most commonly children with Sever’s Disease will present with pain and/or tenderness in one or both heels. Pain is normally at the back of the heel, but it can also radiate toward the sides and bottom of the foot.
Children with Sever’s Disease will have:
The physician will examine your child’s heel to test for areas of pain, and will probably order an x-ray to rule out the possibility of a broken bone.
The best treatment for Sever’s Disease is to decrease overall activity level to alleviate irritation at the heel bone. Along with rest the following can be used:
As soon as you can tolerate pressure on the ball of your foot, begin stretching your ankle using the towel stretch. When this stretch is too easy, try the standing calf stretch and the soleus stretch and slowly work through all of the exercises.
Standing Calf Stretch
Facing a wall, put your hands against the wall at about eye level. Keep the injured leg back, and the heel of your injured leg on the floor. Turn your injured foot slightly inward as you slowly lean into the wall, until you can feel a stretch in the back of your calf. Hold for 30 seconds. Do this several times a day.
Standing Soleus Stretch
Stand facing a wall with your hands on the wall at about chest level. With both knees slightly bent and the injured foot back, gently lean into the wall until you feel a stretch in your lower calf. Once again, slightly toe in with the injured foot and keep your heel down on the floor. Hold this for 30 seconds. Return to the starting position, and repeat 3 times.
Ankle Range of Motion
You can do this exercise sitting or lying down. Pretend you are writing each of the letters of the alphabet with your foot. This will move your ankle in all directions. Do this twice.