Now that school has been in session for a while you might notice that your child is complaining of heel pain. If they are active in sports it could be a good idea to get them checked out by a doctor to make sure it’s not Sever’s disease. You might even be able to catch it early with some preventative care. Unfortunately, this condition isn’t completely preventable, but there are some steps you can take to decrease their chances.
Sever’s disease is a condition that affects children, specifically adolescents who are going through their growth spurt. It’s a result of too much pressure being put on the growth plate in the heel, or the epiphyseal plate. It’s often seen in children who are active in school sports, however it can be found in children who are overweight, have flatfeet, or overpronate when they walk. All of these circumstances can lead to more pressure being applied to the foot. Fortunately, when the growing period is done the pain will subside and there will be absolutely no lasting damage. In the meantime, the main goal of treatment is pain relief. You can also take some preventative measures to help your child.
Do your best to help keep your child flexible and limber in their early years. Maintaining good muscle flexibility can really make a difference in whether or not they end up with Sever’s disease. Some kids might benefit from a heel cup or other type of custom orthotic to take some of the pressure off their heel area. The best thing to do is to have them cross-train every so often if they spend a lot of time running or jumping. If your child seems to be at the beginning stages of Sever’s disease it’s time to act immediately.
To find out more about how to prevent and treat Sever’s disease you shouldn’t hesitate to call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment with us at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ. We know how important your family is to you, and we will do our best to keep every member pain free!
