If your child is experiencing heel pain, especially during or after sports, they may have Sever’s Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)—a common cause of heel pain in active kids aged 8-15. Despite the name, Sever’s Disease is not a disease, but rather an inflammatory condition affecting the growth plate at the back of the heel.
Let’s dive into why it happens, what it feels like, and how to treat it effectively.
What Does Sever’s Disease Feel Like?
Symptoms of Sever’s Disease vary but commonly include:
✔ Pain at the back of the heel, especially during or after physical activity
✔ Discomfort that worsens after stopping activity
✔ Limping due to heel pain
✔ Increased pain when jumping or walking on heels
This condition does not cause long-term damage, but without treatment, it can cause significant discomfort and affect a child’s ability to participate in sports and daily activities.
What Causes Sever’s Disease?
Sever’s Disease is caused by repetitive stress on the heel’s growth plate. During a child’s growth spurt, the heel bone can grow faster than the surrounding muscles and tendons, leading to increased tension and inflammation at the Achilles tendon’s attachment point.
Risk Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Sever’s Disease:
🔹 Recent growth spurts causing muscle imbalances and tightness
🔹 Tight calf or hamstring muscles, placing extra strain on the heel
🔹 High-impact activities like running, jumping, and sports that involve repetitive stress on the feet
🔹 Flat feet or collapsed arches, altering foot biomechanics and increasing strain on the heel and Achilles tendon
🔹 Poor running technique, such as taking many short steps instead of smooth strides
What can we do to help?
Here at The Foot Clinic, we will always provide a clear diagnosis and an overview of the treatment options available for your condition.
To do this, you may need a full biomechanical assessment. This will include the assessments of the range of motion of your lower limb joints, including your hips, knees, ankles and feet. Your Podiatrist will also assess your posture and perform a thorough gait analysis.
Our team of Podiatrists will then tailor a treatment plan based on your individual needs because we understand that everyone is unique! The treatment plan may include:
🔹 Strengthening & Stretching Exercises
A personalized exercise program (delivered via our online platform, Physitrack) to improve muscle flexibility, strength, and recovery. This helps to reduce strain on the growth plate and prevent reoccurrence.
🔹 Footwear Advice & Modifications
Proper footwear is crucial in reducing stress on the heel. Supportive shoes, heel lifts, and gel cushions can help relieve pressure and improve comfort.
🔹 Custom Orthotics for Support & Biomechanics
If foot posture is contributing to excess strain, custom orthotics can help optimize foot positioning, distribute pressure evenly, reduce stress on the heel and therefore reduce pain with activity.
When Should You Seek Treatment?
If your child is complaining of heel pain that worsens with activity, it’s important to address the issue early to prevent prolonged discomfort. While Sever’s Disease resolves with time, treatment can significantly reduce pain, improve mobility, and keep kids active without limitations.
At The Foot Clinic Cottesloe, we specialise in diagnosing and treating Sever’s Disease and other foot-related conditions in children. Let us help your child get back to pain-free movement as quickly as possible!
Click here to book in for a biomechanical assessment!
Useful links
Read more about other types of heel and ankle pain and how we can treat those types of pain.