Does your child complain often about heel pain? Heel pain is a common childhood complaint that we hear quite often. Just because it’s common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your child’s heel pain seriously. We specialize in diagnosing and treating heel pain in children of all ages. Heel pain isn’t a disease, but it could be a symptom of something more. Sometimes, heel pain can be indicative of a condition called Sever’s disease. Keep reading for more information about this treatable condition.
What is Sever’s Disease?
As your child grows, it isn’t uncommon for them to develop chronic heel pain. The reason is the Achilles tendon, which is the large tendon at the back of the leg/foot, attaches to the heel bone in an area that is actively growing. When children are very active––which most are––the Achilles tendon pulls on an area of bone that has a growth plate, which then causes irritation in the growth plate, and thus results in heel pain.
This type of heel pain can have a sudden onset and can be very painful depending on your child’s pain tolerance. This is where our foot specialists come in.
How Do You Treat Sever’s Disease?
The word “disease” sounds fatal, but it’s actually very easy to treat Sever’s Disease. Depending on the patient and the severity, we generally recommend antiinflammatories (OTC or prescription), ice, stretching, and most importantly, support. Stretching is a great way to limit the strain on the Achilles tendon, but the most important form of treatment is to support your child’s foot. Typically, we do this with the use of orthotics. Orthotics not only support the affected area but also offer cushioning and limit mobility of the joint.
We offer multiple types of orthotics designed to suit your child in whatever activities they partake in. Whether your child is a dancer, football player, or runner, we can custom design orthotics to provide the maximum amount of support for your child.
If your child is suffering from chronic heel pain, we have options to help alleviate their pain, and treat it once and for all. Contact Foot Specialists of Birmingham today for more information about Sever’s Disease.
