Entire Podiatry

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Heel Pain (Sever’s disease)

What is Severā€™s disease?

The most common cause of heel pain in children is a disturbance or inflammation to the growing area at the back of the heel bone (calcaneus) where the Achilles tendon attaches to it. This is known as Severā€™s disease or calcaneal apophysitis.

Severā€™s disease is most commonly seen in children aged 10 to 14 years.

Symptoms of Severā€™s disease

Severā€™s disease can affect one or both heels, and will usually cause pain at the back and side of the heel bone. Pain is generally relieved with rest, and aggravated with activity such as playing sport, running, jumping. Squeezing the sides of the heel bone is often painful. In more severe cases, there may be limping.

What causes Severā€™s disease?

Severā€™s disease is related to repeated minor trauma to the bone and tendons in the heel. Some of the factors that can increase the likelihood of this occurring are:

  • Playing sports or activities that involve a lot of heel movements
  • Excessive weight bearing on the heel
  • Tight calf muscles
  • A pronated foot (a foot that rolls in), causing uneven weight bearing on the back part of the heel bone
Heel Pain in Children

How is Severā€™s disease treated?

Severā€™s disease is self-limiting; it will generally go away once the two bony parts in the calcaneus have joined together, which usually occurs around the age of sixteen. However treatment is recommended in order to reduce pain and to maintain activity levels as much as possible.

Orthotics are often beneficial in reducing heel pain in children. Custom orthotics can assist to control the biomechanics of the foot, and to reduce strain on the tendon that inserts into the growth plate at the heel.

In addition to orthotics, treatment for heel pain in children may include:

  • Reducing sporting activities for a short period
  • Footwear advice (it is best to avoid going barefoot)
  • Use of a heel lift or arch support to reduce pull from the calf muscles
  • Stretching exercises for calf and hamstring muscles
  • Use of ice after activity

Podiatrist for children

If your child has heel pain, make an appointment with one of our podiatrists at one of Entire Podiatry’s 9 clinics in Brisbane, Toowong, North Lakes, Morayfield, Strathpine, Margate, Chermside, Logan, the Gold Coast, for expert assessment and treatment advice. Book an appointment online or Freecall 1800-4-ENTIRE (that’s 1800-4-368473).

 

Related Information

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Brisbane CBD

LEVEL 13, 97 CREEK ST
BRISBANE Q 4000

Phone: 07 3229 9959
Fax: 07 3053 3128

Toowong

4/621 CORONATION DRIVE
TOOWONG Q 4066

07 3462 0268
07 3053 3128

Chermside

SUITE 15, LEVEL 2
956 GYMPIE ROAD
CHERMSIDE Q 4032

07 3359 8836
07 3350 2822

Morayfield

UNIT 5C, MORAYFIELD GARDENS
197 MORAYFIELD ROAD
MORAYFIELD Q 4506

07 5490 8222
07 3053 3128

North Lakes

1051B/1 N LAKES DRIVE
NORTH LAKES
MANGO HILL Q 4509

07 3491 6099
07 3053 3128

Redcliffe

2 Dorall Street
KIPPA RING Q 4021

07 3889 5551
07 3053 3128

Strathpine

UNIT 1, 427 GYMPIE ROAD
STRATHPINE Q 4500

07 3881 3995
07 3053 3128

Logan

SHOP 1
1 WEMBLEY ROAD
LOGAN CENTRAL Q 4114

07 3299 2222
07 3053 3128

Robina

EASY T MEDICAL CENTRE
42 SCOTTSDALE DRIVE
ROBINA Q 4226

07 5503 6399
07 5575 8906

Mobile Podiatry

Entire Podiatry can provide mobile podiatry services in the comfort of your own home, at hospitals, nursing homes, for those who find it difficult to travel to a local clinic, or for anyone who does not want to visit a clinic at this time.

To book a mobile podiatry visit, please contact us on 1800 4 ENTIRE (1800 4 368 473) or fill in the enquiry form below.

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