Sever’s Disease

Is your child complaining of heel pain?
Is your child complaining of calf muscle tightness?
Has your child had a recent growth spurt?
Is your child stopping physical activity because their heel is sore?

Your child may be suffering from Sever’s Disease.

What is Sever’s Disease?

Sever’s disease also known as Calcaneal Apophysitis, is a common foot injury condition in young adolescents, where the growth plate within the heel is injured by excessive forces. Those forces include running, jumping, hopping and any other high load movement of the foot and ankle.

Prior to puberty the calf bones begin to grow faster than the surrounding soft tissue placing greater pressure on the Achilles tendon connection into the growth plate of the heel.

We regularly diagnose Sever’s Disease using our Gaitscan system.

Who’s at risk?

Active children between 8 – 15 years of age
Children that toe walk

How to fix the problem?

Rest

Initially rest is the most important factor. Ongoing repetitive strain will only inflame the growth plate forcing the adolescent to spend more time away from sport.
A modified, appropriate physio training program by your child’s Physiotherapist is ideal.

Manual Therapy

Hands-on treatment is very effective. The calf muscles tightness needs to be reduced through various ways from your child’s Physiotherapist.
Calf stretches and strengthening exercises provided by your Physiotherapist will help speed up the recovery.

Taping