Specialties & Conditions Sever Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
Sever Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
Sever disease is painful irritation and inflammation of the apophysis (growth plate) at the back of the calcaneus (heel bone), where the Achilles tendon inserts. In a child, the bones grow from areas called growth plates. The growth plate is made up of cartilage, which is softer and more vulnerable to injury than mature bone. Sever is most often seen in physically active boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 13 years and is the most common cause of heel pain in this age group. It is most commonly seen in soccer, basketball, and gymnastics. Approximately 60% of Sever’s disease is bilateral.
What Causes Sever Disease?
Sever disease is caused by repetitive tension and/or pressure on the growth center. Running and jumping generate a large amount of pressure on the heels. Tight calf muscles are a risk factor for Sever because they increase the tension on the growth center. Sever can also result from wearing shoes with poor heel padding or poor arch support.
What Are the Symptoms Of Sever Disease?
Your child will complain of pain in the heel. The pain usually occurs during or after activity (typically running or jumping) and is usually relieved by rest. The pain may be worse with wearing cleats. This pain may limit your child’s activities and when severe, may cause a limp.
How Is Sever Disease Diagnosed?
Sever disease is diagnosed based on your doctor’s physical examination of the lower leg, ankle and foot, and review of your child’s symptoms. If the diagnosis is in question, your doctor may order x-rays to evaluate for other injuries that may be causing the heel pain. In Sever disease, x-rays are normal.
How Is Sever Disease Treated?
Your child will need a short period of rest from painful activities to take pressure off the growth center and allow inflammation to resolve. Ice is very helpful in reducing pain and inflammation. Apply ice for 10-15 minutes as often as every hour when sore. Do not use ice immediately before activity. It is very important to stretch tight calf muscles to relieve tension on the growth center. Shoes with padded heel surfaces and good arch support can decrease pain. Your doctor may also recommend gel heel cups or supportive shoe inserts. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication.
When Can My Child Return to Full Activity After Sever Disease?
The goal is to return your child to his/her sport or activity as quickly and safely as possible. If your child returns to activities too soon or plays with pain, the injury may worsen. This could lead to chronic pain and difficulty with sports. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Your child’s return to sport or activity will be determined by how soon his/her injury resolves, not by how many days or weeks it has been since the injury occurred. In general, the longer your child has had symptoms before starting treatment, the longer it will take for the injury to heal.
Your child may return safely to his/her sport or activity when each of the following is true:
- Your child has a full range of motion of the ankle without pain.
- Your child has no pain at rest.
- Your child can walk without pain.
- Your child can jog without pain.
- Your child can sprint without pain.
- Your child can jump and hop on the affected foot without pain.
If your child needs heel cups to do all of these maneuvers without pain, that is acceptable, and your child should wear the heel cups during sports and activities. If the heel pain recurs when your child returns to sports, he/she should rest, ice and stretch until the pain is gone before trying to return.
How Can Calcaneal Apophysitis Be Prevented?
Perform a proper warm-up before starting any activity. Ten minutes of light jogging, cycling, or calisthenics before practice will increase circulation to cold muscles, making them more pliable so that they put less stress and tension on their attachment sites (apophyses).
Have your child wear shoes that fit properly. The heel portion of the shoe should not be too tight, and there should be good padding in the heel.
Stretch tight calf muscles several times a day. It is better to stretch after exercise than before exercise. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. Don’t bounce.
Do not play through pain. Pain is a sign of injury, stress, or overuse. Rest is required to allow time for the injured area to heal. If pain does not resolve after a couple of days of rest, consult your physician. The sooner an injury is identified, the sooner proper treatment can begin. The result is shorter healing time and faster return to sport
Stretching Exercises for Calcaneal Apophysitis
It is recommended that these are done 2–3 times daily.
Standing Calf Stretch with Straight Leg
Start by placing your hands against the wall at about eye level. Put one foot in front of the other, make sure your toes are pointed directly at the wall. The front leg is bent. The back leg is straight. Make sure to keep your back heel down on the ground. Slowly lean into the wall, until you can feel a stretch in your calf muscle. Hold for 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat with the opposite leg in front. Perform 3 times on each leg.
Standing Calf Stretch with Bent Leg
Start by placing your hands against the wall at about eye level. Put one foot in front of the other, make sure your toes are pointed directly at the wall. The front leg is bent. The back leg is bent. Make sure to keep your back heel down on the ground. Slowly bend the back leg further and lean into the wall, until you can feel a stretch in your Achilles or the back of your ankle. Hold for 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat with the opposite leg in front. Perform 3 times on each leg.
Kiss the Wall Calf Stretch
Stand close to the wall. Place your hands on the wall about eye level for support. Flex your foot and place your toes on the wall keeping your heel on the ground. Keep your back tall and straight. Lean forward from the hips as if you were trying to kiss the wall until you feel the stretch in your calf. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. Perform 3 times on each leg.
