If you are the parent of a growing child, it is important to care for your child’s feet. Children can be at risk of developing certain foot conditions that can negatively impact their feet. One of the conditions that parents should be on the lookout for is Sever’s disease. This condition primarily affects children that are between 10 and 12 years of age. Sever’s disease can typically cause heel pain in a child and the condition occurs when the calcaneal apophysis becomes inflamed due to some sort of microtrauma commonly involving the Achilles tendon. There are several signs of Sever’s disease that you might be able to identify in your child. First, if your child has Sever’s disease, they might experience heightened pain when engaging in running, walking, and other weight-bearing activities. Additionally, after a period of physical activity, your child might exhibit a limp. If your child is exhibiting any of the aforementioned symptoms, contact a podiatrist for medical assistance and attention.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Jill Einhorn, DPM and James Einhorn, DPM. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Brooklyn and Astoria, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.