Learn the Causes of Heel Pain in Kids, and Find Treatment Options

Diagnosing Sever’s Disease in DeSoto, TX

To diagnose Sever’s disease, we’ll conduct a complete review of your child’s athletic activities and general medical history. In addition to a physical exam, we will take x-rays of your child’s foot. This will help rule out other injuries and come to the right diagnosis. 

Treating heel pain in children caused by Sever’s disease?

If your child is dealing with a new case of Sever’s disease, we will probably recommend taking a week off of strenuous athletic activities. During that time, we’ll suggest regularly icing the affected heel. And we may suggested a short course of over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to manage inflammation and pain. If this break period resolves your child’s discomfort, we’ll help him or her ease back into full activity mode, but we’ll make corrections to prevent reinjury. Likely changes will include finding more supportive foot gear, or adding custom orthotics for adequate injury prevention.  

But what happens if, even with these precautions, the heel pain keeps returning? In this case, a custom orthotic will be critical. And some patients may need foot immobilization to allow full healing to take place. Now, that’s an extreme measure, but even kids who don’t need casting may benefit from wrapping their affected heel and ankle during athletic activities. Compression gear could help prevent swelling and pain. And physical therapy focused on stretching and strength building can help keep Sever’s disease from returning. 

Will kids outgrow Sever’s disease?

Just to reiterate: you should never wait for kids to outgrow heel pain. (Or any type of foot or ankle pain, for that matter.) Now, some kids may naturally outgrow the pain of Sever’s disease. But that process could take years, and dramatically impact their quality of life. Instead, by seeking early treatment, you can offer your child quick relief from the pain of this condition, allowing them to get right back to doing what they love. Plus, delaying treatment for Sever’s disease increases your child’s risk for a heel bone fracture—an outcome we know you want to avoid!  

Stop Sever’s Disease from Coming Back

In order to keep Sever’s disease in your child’s rearview mirror, you have to follow a few simple guidelines. 

1. Buy athletic shoes that fit properly and are designed with sufficient padding in their soles
2. Keep children in lightweight foot wear and avoid high heels at all costs  
3. Encourage stretching before and after kids engage in physical activity
4. After playing sports, children can ice their heels for up to 20, making sure to keep the ice from direct contact with your child’s skin  
5. Make sure your child wears prescribed orthotic devices  
6. Help your child reach a healthy weight to remove excess pressure from the heels