From the playground to the sports field, kids are constantly on their feet. So when your child starts complaining of persistent heel pain, you might be wondering if it’s just a minor ache or something more.
Find answers with the skilled team of podiatrists at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center in Phoenix and Maricopa, Arizona. We offer comprehensive pediatric foot care, providing accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans for young patients.
As a parent, your thoughts might immediately go to an acute injury, but your child’s heel pain may have a different explanation. Here, learn about Sever’s disease and how it affects kids’ growing feet.
This condition is a type of overuse injury that causes inflammation in the heel bone, where the Achilles tendon connects it to the calf muscles.
During childhood and early adolescence, the growth plate in the heel is still developing and hasn’t fully hardened into mature bone. This softer, actively growing tissue is vulnerable to injury from repetitive, high impact activities like running and jumping.
Growth spurts can also play a role. During these periods, your child’s bones may lengthen faster than their muscles or tendons. This can lead to a tighter Achilles tendon, which pulls on the soft growth plate in the heel and worsens inflammation.
Aside from activity and growth, conditions like childhood obesity or flat feet may increase the strain, and footwear that lacks proper support and cushioning can worsen the impact on the heel bone.
The good news for concerned parents is that kids eventually grow out of Sever’s disease. While it can be painful and disruptive for a while, with proper care, it won’t cause any damage or long-term issues for your child’s feet.
If you have an active child between the ages of 8 and 14, Sever’s disease could be behind their heel pain. Our team can provide a definitive diagnosis, but parents should be aware of these common symptoms:
Even though Sever’s disease typically resolves as kids get older, it’s not something to ignore. Without proper management, the inflammation and pain can worsen, affecting their ability to participate in sports and other parts of an active childhood.
Fortunately, there are several effective treatment routes you can take to help your child find relief and get back to their favorite activities.
The most important first step is to temporarily stop the activities that make the pain worse. Opt for low-impact exercise during this time to help kids burn energy and stay active without aggravating the heel area — swimming and biking are two great options.
Proper footwear is essential. Make sure your child wears supportive shoes with heel cushioning and arch support. At Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center, we also offer custom orthotics that can provide additional support and help alleviate pressure.
In some cases, we may recommend gentle stretches or physical therapy to improve flexibility and strength or a controlled ankle motion (CAM) walking boot for a period of immobilization. With rest and care, the pain and inflammation should fade relatively quickly. Most children can return to sports and other activities within a few months.
Don’t let heel pain interfere with your child’s ability to run, jump, play, and participate fully in life. Schedule a consultation at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center online or by phone for expert diagnosis and care.
