Sever’s disease (also known as calcaneal apophysitis) is a type of bone injury in kids whre the growth plate on the lower back part of the heel, where the Achilles tendon (the heel cord that attaches to the growth plate) attaches, becomes inflamed and painful. The reason for this is that the heel bone grows faster than the ligaments in the leg. As a result, muscles and tendons can become very tight and overstretched in children who are going through growth spurts. Sever’s disease occurs as a result of repetitive stress on the Achilles tendon. Over time, constant pressure on the already tight achilles tendon can damage the growth plate, causing children. Symptoms of Severs disease include pain and inflammation. This is why it is more common in physically active.
Symptoms of Sever’s disease include pain, inflammation or tenderness at the back of one or both heels which sometimes also extends in to the sides and bottom of the heel ; swelling and redness in the heel ; heel pain with limping, especially after running ; difficulty walking.Although it is painful and the name sounds a little scary, severs disease is only a temporary condition with no long-term problems. It is more common in physically active kids and occurs during the growth spurt at adolescence. This can begin any time between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and 10 and 15 for boys. To be brief Sever’s disease is not a disease, it is in fact just growing pains.
The primary method of treating Sever’s disease is by taking time off or at least reducing participation in sports and other physical activities. This is in order to alleviate the pressure on the growth plate referred to above. Your physical therapist may prescribe stretching exercises for the calf muscles to help reduce pressure on the achille’s tendon attachment. Icing the area by placing an ice pack in a wet towel and applying it to the area of pain for 10 to 15 minutes at a time may help to alleviate pain and swelling, as may the use of NSAIDs(non steroidal anti-inflammatories). For more information on Sever’s disease click here.
Physiotherapists in Tralee, Co. Kerry : Phone 086-7700191
