We
would like to talk about a common heel pain condition that we see in
children and adolescents between the ages of 8-16. Sever's Disease or
Calcaneal apophsitis is a growth plate injury of the heel often
misdiagnosed as plantar fascitis. We are starting to see this injury
more often most likely because of year round travel sport teams as well
young children specializing in one sport without variety as well as
much needed rest. This is typically an overuse injury of the growth
plate of the heel. The heel bone is called the "calcaneus" and has an
important growth plate at the base. Boys from 8 to 14 and Girls 7 to 13
can have pain develop in this area either from the pull of the achilles
tendon, or the pull of the plantar fascia. We see this in sports such as
basketball, running, baseball, gymnastics, and tennis. After those
ages, the growth plates will fuse and there can no longer be a source of
pain. This form of heel pain can disrupt activity and be frustrating
for children as well as their parents. If recognized and diagnosed
promptly, conservative treatment will usually resolve this condition
rather quickly.
The basic rule is to create a pain free environment with no limping.
Treatment consist of ice, oral NSAIDS, stretching, achilles/plantar
fascial night splint, heel lifts/heel cushions, custom orthotics,
physical therapy, and in extreme cases cam walker boot/cast
immobilization. Physical therapy modalities such as electrical
stimulation, iontophoresis, dry needling of the calf, and achilles
stretching can be useful ways to resolve this condition. Brief
modification of exercise routine to more low impact can help the growth
plate to heal.
If
your children are suffering from heel pain it is important to have them
seen as soon as possible. The faster that this condition is recognized
and treated the quicker your children will have resolution of heel pain
which will allow them to resume to the sports that they love to
participate in.
For more information please refer to our website: www.carolinafootspecialists.net
