Since the onset of Covid19, children have become more sedentary. Many children have been stuck inside their houses, without much movement. Now that the weather is getting nicer and restrictions have loosened, more kids are getting outside. We have begun to see un uptick of children’s foot problems. Heel pain, flat foot pain, ankle sprains and warts have become more popular among kids.
It is important to notice any changes in your child’s behavior or their activity level. Make sure your child is walking properly, make sure they are wearing proper shoes when they go outside or engage in activities and if they’re are having pain, get it checked before it gets worse.
Sever's Disease Signs To Look For:
- Limping.
- Walking on toes.
- Difficulty running, jumping, or participating in usual activities or sports.
- Pain when the sides of the heel are squeezed.
- tiredness.
- Complaining they are too tired to do physical activity
Your Child May Have Sever's Disease
If your child is showing any of these problems, your child may have calcaneal apophysitis, or Sever’s disease.
Calcaneal apophysitis is inflammation or swelling of the growth plate in the heel. It is commonly seen in children between ages 8-13. When there is too much repetitive stress on the growth plate, inflammation can develop. Calcaneal apophysitis is also called Sever’s disease. It is the most common cause of heel pain in children, and can occur in one or both feet.
A main difference in heel pain in children from adult heel pain is adult heel pain usually goes away or gets better after a period of walking. Pediatric heel pain usually doesn’t improve in this manner. Most often, walking typically makes the pain worse.
If your child is in pain, begin to R.I.C.E the area at home (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Then call your local podiatry office. To help diagnose the cause of the heel pain we will do x-rays right in office.
Treatment for Sever's Disease
- Support the heel with custom orthotics
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs help reduce the pain and inflammation.
- Stretching exercises
- Proper shoes
Will Sever's Disease Go Away By Itself?
Some doctors and pediatricians believe the heel pain in children will go ways on its own. It may, but it could also get worse. If you begin conservative treatment at home- RICE, stretches, new shoes and your child is still dealing with pain, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. Many foot problems in adults could be avoided if they were treated as a child.
