Heel pain in children is not an uncommon scene especially after falls and tumbles in the playground. However, in a young athlete persistent heel pain may be due to Severs Disease. In this blog post we will explore what Severs Disease is, offer insights into the symptom picture, the causes, and how Osteopathy can help manage this condition.
What is Severs Disease?
Severs disease is a condition that causes heel pain in children and adolescence, particularly those who are active in sports and physical activities. It occurs when the growth plate at the back of the heel, known as the calcaneal apophysis, becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress or overuse. This condition is prevalent in children during periods of rapid growth, typically between 8-14 years for girls and 10-15 years for boys.
Children experiencing Severs disease may have localized pain, swelling and redness around the heel and the back of the ankle. The pain usually worsens with physical activity like running and jumping and may be relieved with rest. Sometimes Severs disease looks like a limp or tip toe walking, as the child avoids putting pressure on the affected heel. Generally, diagnosis is made with a case history, palpation of the tender areas and a musculoskeletal assessment of the lower limb biomechanics. X-rays are only helpful to rule out other causes such as fractures.
Understanding the causes of Severs Disease:
Several factors contribute to the development of Severs Disease.
- Overuse and physical activity: Intense periods of activities that put stress on the heel such as running and jumping, or participating in sports such as soccer and basketball, can increase the risk of Severs disease.
- Biomechanical factors: Issues with foot alignment such as high arches or flat feet can contribute to the strain placed through the growth plate of the heel. This also includes the inappropriate use of footwear that lacks proper support during sport.
- Rapid growth: During periods of rapid growth, the tibia bone (shinbone) and the calf muscle can grow at different rates, leading to tension and strain on the growth plate of the heel.
It should also be noted that Severs Disease is a self-limiting condition. This means that it will resolve once the growth plates have closed and the muscles and bones have grown to their capacity.
How Osteopathy can help:
Osteopathy offers a wholistic approach to relieving heel pain and promoting healing in children with Severs Disease. Treatment includes are variety of hands on and hands off management. Victoria from Cotlew St. Osteopathy utilizes a variety of techniques including:
- Soft tissue manipulation and massage techniques to help release tight muscles and tension from around the calf muscle and heel.
- Joint mobilisation and osteopathic adjustments to the ankle and lower limb, to help restore mobility and proper joint alignment, alleviating pressure on the growth plate.
- Postural assessment to help identify any other factors contributing to the heel pain such as collapsed arches in the feet or tight hip flexors.
- Exercise prescription, stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and help support the muscles and ligaments around the heel, reducing the rate of reoccurrence.
If your child is experiencing heel pain and you think it might be Severs disease, don’t hesitate to reach out to Cotlew St. Osteopathy and have them assessed. For personalised care and guidance, we can help reduce the discomfort and work towards a return to sport management plan.
Dr Victoria McLelland – Registered Osteopath
