This upcoming weekend, December 5th and 6th, Surprise will hold its 13th Annual Surprise Party complete with elephant rides, a tree lighting ceremony, and even a visit from Santa! It will be a family event not to be missed, so make sure your children’s feet are in top condition. Children’s foot care is often neglected, but there are a number of problems they face, including heel pain from Sever’s disease.
Sever’s disease is a foot condition that only affects adolescent children who are going through a growth spurt. It occurs when the bones grow faster than the muscles and tendons do, causing the tissues (especially the Achilles tendon) to become overstretched. The constant strain of a tight Achilles tendon on the growth plate of the heel can lead to swelling, inflammation, and pain. Children who are at a higher risk include those who are athletic and do a lot of running or jumping, or children who are obese. The more weight they put on their feet the more likely they are to develop this condition.
This is a problem that only lasts for as long as they are growing. Once everything catches up to each other there will be no more pain or lasting damage. While this is occurring, the main goal is pain relief. This unfortunately means that the children who are athletic will probably have to discontinue their activity or sport until they are able to play without discomfort. Other ways to minimize pain in your children’s feet include applying ice, wearing a compression stocking, elevating the feet, taking any anti-inflammatory medication we prescribe, and stretching. In some severe cases, we may decide that a cast is necessary to immobilize the foot.
For more information about treating Sever’s disease or other children’s foot care concerns, call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
Photo credit: photostock via freedigitalphotos.net
