Severs
Heel pain is a common complaint in active children between the ages of 8-14 years of age. It is most likely a condition called Calcaneal Apophysitis, or more commonly known as Severs Disease.
What is Severs?
Severs is inflammation of the growth plate at the back of the heel where the achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (Calcaneus).
Signs & Symptoms:
• Heel pain during or after physical activity
• Pain around the back of the heel bone
• Limping or calf stiffness first thing in the morning
• Walking on toes or avoiding pressure on heels
What causes Severs?
Severs is thought to occur because the growth where the achilles tendon attaches to the bone (the apophysis) is ‘active’. This means it is beginning to change from cartilage to bone.
Severs can be caused by an increase in activity during the early growth spurts of puberty. Particularly activities that involve running, jumping or change in directions. These activities can increase the load through the calf muscles causing inflammation and irritation of the growth plate on the heel.
How can we help?
Severs is a self-limiting condition, which means symptoms will resolve over time as the growth plate becomes less active. However, the pain associated with Severs can be debilitating and can impact on a child’s participation in sport and activities.
Treatment is aimed at reducing pain and symptoms so that they can continue to be active. Load management and activity modification is important in the early stages to reduce pain and flare ups. This can be achieved by modifying their activity or training, reducing load to the heel by using taping, heel lifts, orthotics or footwear modifications.
The growth plate can take 2 or more years to mature so it is important to seek a health professional to learn how to manage the flare ups, which can be triggered by growth spurts, changes in activities and intensity, and changes in footwear.
