How Sever’s Disease Affects Heel Pain in Children

Football season is back, not only for the professionals but for your children as well. Many young athletes suffer from Sever’s disease, which can cause heel pain and frustration. Fortunately, it isn’t a lasting condition, but it’s important to know how to defend your child’s feet against pain and discomfort.

Sever’s disease is a condition that affects young people who are going through a growth spurt. It occurs when the heel bone grows faster than the surrounding muscles and tendons, especially the Achilles tendon. This puts immense pressure on the heel’s growth plate, which can result in pain, inflammation, tenderness, and swelling. This inflammation can develop in anyone who is still growing, but it’s even worse for those who play sports or are overweight because of the extra pressure placed upon the area. If your child is complaining of pain or is having difficulty walking, make an appointment with Foot & Ankle Associates. The pain will go away once your child is finished growing, but we can help you ease your child’s pain in the meantime.

The best course of action to help with discomfort is to have your child rest. This might be difficult for kids when they participate in a sport because of their desire to keep playing. Have them engage in low-impact exercise instead, such as swimming or yoga while they are recovering. It helps for your child to elevate his or her leg while applying ice in order to minimize swelling. There are several stretches that will help strengthen foot and leg muscles, too. We may also prescribe a low dosage of pain medication.

Taking care of your child’s feet is a priority for us. For more information regarding heel pain caused by Sever’s disease, call Dr. Marco Vargas at (888) 784-5335 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at Foot & Ankle Associates in Houston, TX.

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