Sever’s disease, calcaneal apophysitis, is an inflammation of the growth plate in the calcaneus that is a common cause of heel pain in children and adolescents. As children and adolescents are growing the bones have growth plates which are areas of cartilage located near the ends of bones. This area of bone is vulnerable to stress especially during growth spurts.
Once a child or adolescent is fully grown, the growth plates close and are replaced by solid bone. Until the growth plates are fully closed they are weaker than the nearby tendons and ligaments and are vulnerable to trauma.
Sever’s disease is caused when there is injury to this area as the growth plate is still open. This occurs at the back of the heel where the achilles attaches to the heel and can cause additional pulling on the calcaneus (heel) bone.
Causes
- Repetitive stress to the heel
- Occurs during growth spurts
- Mostly seen in children and adolescents who participate in high impact sports that involve running, and jumping.
Symptoms
- Heel pain
- Tenderness under the heel
- Mild swelling around the heel
Diagnosis
Your physician will do a physical exam as well as determine your symptoms and medical history. They will check if certain areas are painful to touch as well as possibly as your child to perform certain movements such as running, and jumping to determine what activities cause pain. X-ray’s may be ordered to confirm diagnosis and see the extent of the injury.
Treatment
Non-Surgical Sever’s Disease Treatment
