Sever’s Disease

Symptoms of Sever’s disease

Sever’s disease usually causes pain or tenderness in one or both heels.

Other symptoms can include:

• swelling in the heel
• redness in the heel
• stiffness worse on waking
• limping or walking on tip toes

Causes of Sever’s disease

Sever’s disease happens during the growth spurt of puberty, usually between 9 – 14 yrs old,  as the bones, muscles, and tendons grow at different rates. The muscles and tendons can become tight, pulling on the growth plate in the heel.

It can occur in children who active in sports or activities that involve a lot of running or jumping, especially on hard surfaces.  Overuse and repeated stress on the heel caused by the recurring pulling by the tendon on the heel bone causes inflammation of the growing part (called the growth plate) of the heel bone. This injury leads to the pain of Sever’s disease.

Treatment of Sever’s disease

With proper management, Sever’s disease usually goes away within a few months and doesn’t cause lasting problems. That might mean a change of exercise regime.

Other treatment can include:

• stretching exercises
• ice packs
• shoe advice
• orthotic insole

A biomechanical assessment from an experienced podiatist can help diagnose your condition and give a treatment plan. During a biomechanical assessment advice such as suitable footwear may be given.  An orthotic insole can be prescribed which may help aid healing during rehabilitation, reduce pain and facilitate normal function.

Contact the Centre for an appointment on 020 8348 5553

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist who sees many children for a variety of conditions at her clinic in the Highgate Health Centre in Highgate Village, N6, London.  Clinics are held every weekend either on a Saturday or Sunday and every Tuesday and Wednesday. Please contact the Centre for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the Centre’s address, map and directions see the Contact page.