If your child is complaining of heel pain particularly after sport, or when they first get up from sitting it’s worth having it looked at rather than waiting for it to pass. Sever’s Disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain in active children, and while it’s very manageable, it isn’t something we’d classify as an ordinary growing pain.
What Is Sever’s Disease?
Sever’s Disease affects the growth plate at the back of the heel, most commonly in children aged 9 to 12. It tends to occur more often in boys and in children who are highly active in sport. It’s associated with excessive pronation where the foot rolls inward more than it should which places repeated traction on the growth plate at a time when it’s still developing and more vulnerable to this kind of strain.
Common Symptoms
- Soreness and tenderness at the back of the heel
- Pain that increases once your child stops running
- Pain when rising from a seated position
- A tendency to limp or favour one foot after activity
What Causes Sever’s Disease?
The underlying driver is generally excessive pronation, which increases traction on the heel’s growth plate via the Achilles tendon. Because this is a mechanical pattern rather than a one-off injury, the pain tends to recur with activity until the contributing biomechanics are addressed which is why it’s often mistaken for something a child will simply “grow out of.”
Our Approach
A biomechanical assessment is used to help confirm Sever’s Disease and identify what’s contributing to the traction on the growth plate, so a treatment plan can be tailored to your child rather than relying on rest alone.
Treatment Options We Offer
- Activity modification during flare-ups
- Strapping commonly used for Sever’s Disease to help support the heel during healing
- Custom orthotics – designed to help manage excess pronation and reduce traction on the growth plate
- Foot mobilisation and calf stretching
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sever’s Disease the same as growing pains?
No – Sever’s Disease is a specific, identifiable condition linked to excess pronation and traction on the heel’s growth plate, not a general “growing pain.” It can be assessed and treated rather than simply waited out.
Will my child grow out of it?
Sever’s Disease does tend to resolve once the growth plate fully matures, but that can take a couple of years – and without addressing the underlying biomechanics, your child may continue to experience pain and reduced activity in the meantime.
Can my child keep playing sport?
This depends on severity. An assessment can help clarify what level of activity is appropriate while your child’s treatment plan is underway.
Book an Assessment
If your child is showing signs of heel pain, book a biomechanical assessment at your nearest Dr Abbie Clinics location.
.
