Our Skilled Tarrant County Podiatrists Explain Sever’s Disease and Common Causes of Heel Pain in Children
Does your child complain of heel pain? If so, it’s possible their discomfort may be caused by Sever's disease. This growth-related condition is a common cause of heel pain in children, especially those who are physically active.
If your child is diagnosed with Sever’s disease, it’s essential that they get treated by a foot doctor with experience working with children. If you’re in the Tarrant County area of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the skilled podiatrists at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists can verify if your child’s heel pain is caused by Sever’s disease or another type of children’s foot problem and provide an individualized treatment plan to help relieve their pain. Here, we discuss the causes of this foot condition, signs your child might suffer from it, and potential treatments. 
Common Causes of Sever’s Disease
Sever’s disease is a very common condition in growing children that is usually caused by physiological changes that take place during growth spurts. It can impact any child, although structural foot problems and certain types of physical activity can increase a child’s risk of experiencing this condition.
Growth Spurts
Sever’s disease often occurs during a growth spurt. A child’s bones, muscles, and tendons develop rapidly during a growth spurt. In some instances, a child’s heel bone may grow faster than the surrounding muscles and tendons. When this happens, those muscles and tendons tend to become tight and overstretched, leading to heel pain.
Foot Structure
Kids with flat feet, high arches, or other abnormalities related to their foot structure are at an elevated risk of developing Sever’s disease because this condition can increase stress on the heel. This added stress is often the cause of the pain.
Physical Activity
Activities that place strain on a child’s heel can play a part in the development of Sever's disease. Examples of activities that can contribute to Sever’s disease include running, jumping, or a lot of walking.
Signs Your Child May Have Sever’s Disease
Childhood heel pain is the most common symptom of Sever’s disease—also known as calcaneus apophysitis. This foot condition is an inflammation at the back of the heel growth plate in children who are still growing. Very often, children with Sever’s disease experience discomfort and tenderness that worsens with physical activity and improves with rest. Other possible symptoms that may indicate Sever’s disease include the following:
- Swelling of the affected heel
- Redness on the skin covering the heel
- Stiffness of the heel, especially after being at rest for a while
- Pain that forces the child to limp when walking
- Pain that forces the child to walk on tiptoe to reduce pressure on the heel
If your child is experiencing pain in the heel, it’s possible they may have Sever’s disease. However, this condition is not the only foot problem that can cause a similar type of pain. It’s very important to take your child to a podiatrist immediately for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Dr. Joseph Dr. Joseph Harvey and Dr. Richard A. Nichols of Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists often diagnose and treat children with Sever’s disease or other foot problems in Tarrant County.
How a Podiatrist Diagnoses Sever’s Disease
When you take your child to see a podiatrist, the doctor will review their medical history and physically examine their heels and feet. The doctor will press on different parts of the heel to check for tenderness and conduct a thorough examination.
Depending on the results of the initial evaluation, it may be necessary to do X-rays or other imaging tests to rule out other possible causes of your child’s heel pain. For example, some heel pain may be caused by a fracture or infection rather than Sever’s disease. Regardless of the cause of your child’s pain, the podiatrist will be able to recommend a course of treatment, but recommendations will vary based on what is causing the pain.
Treatment for Sever’s Disease
Assuming your child’s pain is the result of Sever’s disease, their treatment plan will likely include several or possibly all of the following interventions:
- Rest. Rest is essential to allow the inflammation causing your child’s pain to subside. A child with Sever’s disease will need to stop or significantly minimize activities that cause pain until their condition improves.
- Ice. Your foot doctor may recommend applying ice to the heel for 15 to 20 minutes several times daily, as ice can help reduce pain and swelling.
- Stretching exercises. The podiatrist may instruct your child to periodically stretch their Achilles tendon and calf muscles, which can help relieve pain by reducing the tension on their heel.
- Medicine. The doctor may recommend giving your child over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, for pain relief.
- Orthotics. Placing orthotic inserts in your child’s shoes can help provide the cushioning and support they need, reducing stress on the heel.
- Proper footwear. Wearing supportive shoes with good cushioning can help mitigate the pain of Sever’s disease now and help prevent episodes from recurring in the future.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, the pain of Sever’s disease will usually start to diminish while the condition heals. The sooner you take your child to a podiatrist, the faster they will be able to start experiencing pain relief. Your child’s treatment plan will likely include follow-up visits to monitor how healing is progressing and to verify whether the current treatment plan is optimal or if adjustments may be needed.
Sever's disease usually resolves as a child’s growth rate slows and their heel bone fully matures. Most kids can return to normal activities once the pain has subsided. Even so, it may take several months for the condition to fully resolve.
Seek Podiatric Care for Your Child’s Heel Pain
Even though Sever’s disease is a growth-related condition in children, you still need to take this condition seriously. By taking your child to an experienced foot doctor, you’ll be able to get a definitive diagnosis and take proactive steps to minimize your child’s discomfort. Our Keller and Grapevine podiatrists are here to help.