Sydney Sports Podiatry
Severs Disease – Calcaneal Apophysitis
Calcaneal Apophysitis is a common cause of heel pain in children and adolescents. The condition usually occurs in children and adolescents, between the age of 8 – 14 years, who are active, often playing sports with high volumes of running and jumping.
Calcaneal Apophysitis is caused from repeated stress of the calf muscles pulling on the growth plate of the heel bone, which causes painful inflammation. Foot posture and poor biomechanics are often a contributing factor; children with flat feet over hyper-pronation are more likely to have calcaneal apophysitis.
Symptoms include:
- Pain in the back or bottom of the heel
- Limping
- Toe walking to relieve pain
- Pain during activity, which usually gets worse
- Mild heat and swelling of the heel bone
- Tight calf muscles
- Pain when squeezing the heel bone
Common Symptoms
This condition is caused by stress on the growth plate in the heel, which is particularly vulnerable in growing children and adolescents. This stress can come from sports or physical activities that involve running and jumping.
- Pain in the back or bottom of the heel
- Limping
- Toe walking to relieve pain
- Pain during activity, which usually gets worse
- Mild heat and swelling of the heel bone
- Tight calf muscles
- Pain when squeezing the heel bone