Sever's disease presents as heel pain in children between the ages of 8 and 14 years of age. It more commonly occurs in boys.

 

This condition is a traction or impact apophysitis ( inflammation of the growth plate) within the calcaneus bone or heel bone. It is believed to be caused by either traction or excessive pulling by the Achilles tendon at the point of insertion at the heel or high or repetitive impact forces to the heel bone.  Pain and tenderness is located at the plantar and posterior heel and normally worse with increased activity and painful on squeezing the heel.

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Causation:

• Heavy heel strike.

• Rapid growth.

• Tight calf muscles.

• Very active.

• Overweight.

• Flat footwear ( such as football boots).

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Treatment involves:

1. Treatment of inflammation.

2. Advice on footwear.

3. Gentle stretching of calf muscles.

4. Treatment of biomechanics.

5. Activity modification.

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REMEMBER. Many injuries are induced by failure to allow the body to adapt slowly to increasing load. Sudden and big increases in load will often cause tissue failure and result in injury in adults and children.