Sever’s disease (children’s heel pain)
Sever’s disease is a common cause of heel pain in growing children and teenagers, especially those who are active in running and jumping sports.
At Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North we treat Sever’s disease by reducing stress on the growing heel, settling pain and gradually strengthening the foot and lower limb. We also assess your child’s biomechanics and activity levels to identify what is causing the heel to become overloaded. Book a Sever’s disease assessment today.
What is Sever’s disease?
- Pain at the back or bottom of the heel
- Pain that gets worse during or after sport
- Tenderness when the heel is squeezed
- Stiffness after activity
- Pain that improves with rest
Sever’s disease is heel pain caused by irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel bone.
It usually occurs in children and teenagers while their bones are still growing. During this stage the growth plate is particularly vulnerable to repeated stress from running, jumping and other high-impact activities.
It is more common when:
- A child has suddenly increased their sporting activity
- They participate in running or jumping sports
- Their calf muscles are tight
- Their feet are experiencing increased mechanical stress
- They are going through a rapid growth spurt
How it can feel:
- Pain and swelling in the ball of the foot, often under the second toe
- A feeling of walking on a lump or that something is out of place
- The toe starting to lift, splay or drift sideways
- Pain that is worse when pushing off or walking barefoot
- Aching that builds up with activity
Sever’s disease is not usually a serious condition and it does not mean the heel is permanently damaged. However, continuing to overload the heel without addressing the cause can make symptoms last much longer.
Signs, symptoms & when to see a podiatrist
Common signs:
- Heel pain during or after sport
- Pain in one or both heels
- Tenderness around the growth plate
- Limping or changing the way they walk
- Pain that gets worse with running and jumping
- Reduced participation in sport because of heel pain
See a podiatrist if:
- Your child has ongoing heel pain
- Heel pain is affecting sport or school activities
- They are limping or avoiding certain activities
- The pain keeps returning after exercise
- Rest has not improved the problem
Getting Sever’s disease assessed early can help reduce pain and prevent your child from repeatedly aggravating the heel.
How we treat Sever’s disease at Aligna
Our treatment focuses on settling the pain while reducing the stress placed on the growing heel.
Stage 1: reduce pain and irritation
We first identify what is aggravating the heel and modify activity where needed. We may also use high-power laser therapy to help reduce pain and support the healing process.
Stage 2: improve strength and flexibility
We guide your child through age-appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises for the calf, foot and lower limb. This helps the heel cope with activity more effectively.
We also find the cause
Sever’s disease can be influenced by tight calves, changes in activity and lower limb biomechanics. We assess how your child’s feet and legs move and may recommend footwear changes or custom orthotics where appropriate.
Our goal is to settle the heel pain while helping your child safely return to the activities they enjoy.
Our aim is to settle the pain, support the toe joint and prevent the toe drifting further.
Recovery & rehab
How long does it take?
Sever’s disease usually improves as the growth plate matures but symptoms can take several weeks or months to settle depending on how much the heel is being overloaded.
Why rehab matters
Simply stopping sport may reduce the pain temporarily but it does not address why the heel became overloaded in the first place. The right combination of activity modification, stretching and strengthening can help your child return to sport safely.
How we help your child stay pain-free:
- Gradual return to running and jumping
- Calf and lower-limb strengthening
- Stretching where appropriate
- Biomechanical assessment
- Footwear advice
- Orthotics if extra support is needed
- Advice on managing sporting loads
With the right treatment most children can return to their normal activities as their heel continues to develop.
Summary
Our goal is simple: to settle your child’s heel pain and help them get back to the sports and activities they enjoy.
At Aligna Podiatry we don’t just tell your child to stop playing sport. We look at why the heel is being overloaded and create a treatment plan that helps them manage their activity while their body continues to grow.
Whether your child has recently developed heel pain or has been struggling with Sever’s disease for months we are here to help them move comfortably and confidently again.
Book your appointment in Balwyn North
Struggling with chronic heel pain, tendon pain or another stubborn injury?
Our experienced team at Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North takes a holistic, whole-body approach to treating the foot, ankle and knee. We combine high-power laser therapy, shockwave with hands-on care, cupping and rehab to reduce pain and restore alignment and movement. Contact our Balwyn North clinic today to book an assessment and find out which treatment is right for you.