Your Child Has Heel Pain? (It’s Probably Sever’s Disease.)
Stop Ignoring Heel Pain in Kids: It’s a Real Problem!
Have you ever noticed your kiddo limping around and thought, “Meh, they’re just being dramatic”? Well, here’s the truth bomb—heel pain in children isn’t something to brush off! And no, it’s not just a problem for adults either.
Pain is your body’s way of shouting, “Hey, something’s off!” Ignoring heel pain could set your little one up for bigger issues down the road—like full-blown plantar fasciitis in adulthood. And trust me, you don’t want that.
Let’s dive into why heel pain in children happens and how to tackle it head-on.
Heel Pain Isn’t Just for Grown-Ups
It’s easy to think kids don’t experience “grown-up” problems, but they absolutely can! One common cause of heel pain in young athletes and active kids? Sever’s disease—a condition that loves to sneak up. Kids don’t have to worrying about taxes and mortgages. They have their own grown-up challenge: heel pain. Think of Sever’s disease as the junior version of plantar fasciitis.
What to Watch For
A protected gait (Limping) at the end of practice or wanting to end a family hike early is a red flag. The adult version of heel pain is most uncomfortable when you start walking. Kid’s heel pain escalate near the end of activity, not the beginning of activity.
Why Your Child Has Heel Pain
Let’s break it down. Heel pain is a common issue, but why is it different in kids?
Sever’s disease is often the culprit. Inflammation develops in the growth plate (the calcaneal apophysis). A tight Achilles tendon and excessive pronation create compressing at the growth plate. X-rays may show irregularities in the growth plate but rarely does it affect long term growth of the bone. Here’s how it all adds up:
- Achilles Tendon: This tough band of tissue connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. When your child’s Achilles tendon is tight or overused, it can tug on the heel’s growth plate, causing pain.
- Plantar Fascia: This band of tissue on the bottom of the foot also plays a role. It supports the foot’s arche and, when stressed, can add to the discomfort felt in the heel.
Children’s bones are very soft like Play-doh. They have an area high replicating tissue (growth plate) that is even softer. It is like the jelly layer in a PB&J sandwich. When the growth plate is under stress it gets angry. When they get injured, like a fracture, the growth rate can change. This is not the case with an apophysitis.
Recognizing Symptoms of Sever’s Disease
If your child is dealing with Sever’s disease, keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Pain around the sides and bottom of the heel (Adults get pain in the bottom of the heel)
- Limping or walking on their toes to avoid heel pressure pain after physical activity (think soccer, running, or gymnastics)
If you’re unsure if your child has Sever’s, try this trick: squeeze both sides of their heel. If they jump out of their seat they have Sever’s. This suggestion will not get me a parent of the year award but it is a classic finding.
Treating Heel Pain in Kids
So, how can we help your child get back to running, jumping, and being pain-free? Good news—there are effective and simple treatment options!
1. Custom Orthotics
These are game-changers. Custom orthotics can improve biomechanics and alleviate stress on the growth plate. Orthotics provide extra support to keep everything in balance and prevent future issues. Your child most likely inherited their biomechanics from one or both sides of the family. Parents – Do you remember having heel pain as a kid?
2. Stretching Exercises
Keeping the Achilles tendon flexible is crucial. A daily stretching routine can work wonders. A longer tendon reduces compression and relieves pain. The bad news is that this program is BORING and needs to be long term. The good news is that kids see results 75% faster than adults
3. Better Shoes
Not all shoes are created equal. A little extra heel lift can take the strain off the Achilles tendon. Shoes with a very rigid heel counter help limit pronation.
4. Rest and Ice
Rest and icing can reduce swelling and pain. This treatment is very short term. It is helpful at the moment but does not change anything for tomorrow. No one wants the pain to come roaring back! Once the mechanics are controlled it is amazing how quickly a kid can return to full activity.
What Happens With Early Treatment?
We mentioned that growing bones are “soft”. This means if the biomechanics are controlled the bones and joints can actually change for the better. This translates as better adult foot function. The amount of change is related to how much time remains before skeletal maturity and how much time an orthotic is used.
What Happens if You Ignore the Pain?
Here’s the scary part: if Sever’s disease goes untreated, your child’s heel pain can lead to adult issues like plantar fasciitis. The pain might disappear for a while after the growth plate matures. Symptoms often return in their late teens or early twenties.
That’s why it’s crucial to address the issue now—when your child is still young and flexible! Believe me, you’ll save yourself a world of trouble by acting early.
Recognizing and Addressing Symptoms
Athletes—especially soccer players, gymnasts, and T-ballers—might experience heel pain more frequently. The pain often gets worse during or after intense physical activity. If you notice your child is walking awkwardly, or avoiding putting weight on their heel, they might be dealing with Sever’s.
Sometimes, heel pain isn’t just related to activity. Accidental bumps or hits around the heel can also be quite painful. If you have a “tough” kid who never complains, look for a limping or stiff leg walking. Or they may toe walk to protect the heel area.
Get Your Child the Help They Need!
We cannot emphasize this enough: If heel pain is keeping your son or daughter away from their favorite activities, don’t wait. Get them the care they need! Dr. Jeff Leibovitz specializes in diagnosing and treating child heel pain. Our goal is to get your child back to doing what they love—pain-free.
Call us today at (317) 545-0505 or book an appointment online to discuss treatment options for your child’s heel pain! We want to help your child get back to living large, pain-free!