Sever’s Disease
Inflammation of the growth plate in the heel which is caused from repetitive stress to the heel, mostly common in growing children as their heel bone grows quicker than the leg. It can be aggravated with increase of physical activity, or anything involving a lot of heel movement, and/or poor biomechanics.
Symptoms include:
- Heel pain, especially jumping or running
- Swelling
- Limping (severe cases)
Risk Factors:
- Active children (aged 7-13)
- Sports involving running or jumping
- Poor flexibility (eg. calf tightness)
- Poor biomechanics (eg. flat foot)
Assessment – The podiatrists at toe-tal will diagnose the condition through a biomechanical assessment and go through all the necessary treatments listed below to help get you on the right path.
Treatment: – It is important to follow a rehabilitation program so your injury doesn’t reoccur.
- REST until all pain has resolved (could become permanent damage) – talk to Podiatrist about when you can return to activity (will be gradual and initially activity may be modified)
- Apply ICE over the painful area for 15 minutes
- Stretching and strengthening exercises – (talk to podiatrist what exercises require to do)
- Correct biomechanics
- Footwear advise/modification – (talk to the podiatrist at toe-tal about what footwear suits your foot best)
- Heel raise in shoes which will help to shorten the Achilles tendon which will take the strain off the heel where it’s painful.
- Exercise and training program modification
- In severe cases, immobilization using splints, walking boot, casting, or crutches for a short period (2-3 weeks) which may allow rest and healing