Sever's Disease - Highgate Podiatry Biomechanics Orthotic Insoles

Sever’s Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)

Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain in children and adolescents, particularly those who are active in sport.

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced HCPC-registered podiatrist specialising in children’s foot care who treats many young patients for Sever’s disease.

This injury commonly causes pain and sometimes swelling in the heel, and often occurs in children who engage in high impact sports and activities which involve running or jumping.

Please see below if you want more detailed explanation of Sever’s disease, its symptoms, causes and its treatment.

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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 to 14 years 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 are active in sports or activities that involve 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

You should seek advice from an experienced podiatrist if your child’s heel pain is persistent, affecting their activity or sport, or if they are limping or walking on tiptoes. A biomechanical assessment can help confirm the diagnosis and provide an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment may include some or all of the following depending on your child’s individual needs:

stretching exercises
strengthening exercises
advice about activity modification
ice packs
supportive footwear advice
an orthotic insole

A bespoke orthotic insole can be prescribed as part of the treatment plan. An orthotic may aid healing during rehabilitation, reduce pain and help facilitate normal function.

With appropriate management, most children recover fully and can return to sport within a few weeks to months.

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Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist who sees many children for a variety of conditions at her clinic Highgate Podiatry in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square, N6 6BA, London. Clinics are held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the clinic’s address, map and directions see the Contact page and for information about orthotic insoles and biomechanics see the Biomechanics page.

What are the best treatments for Sever’s disease?Rachel2026-07-13T10:10:49+00:00

What are the best treatments for Sever’s disease?

Treatment typically includes stretching and strengthening exercises, ice packs, footwear advice and activity modification. In some cases a bespoke orthotic insole may be prescribed to reduce strain on the heel and support recovery. A biomechanical assessment with an experienced podiatrist can help identify contributing factors and provide a treatment plan tailored to your child’s individual needs.

What happens during a biomechanical assessment for a child?Rachel2026-03-20T17:02:20+00:00

What happens during a biomechanical assessment for a child?

The assessment is a gentle, painless examination of your child’s feet, posture and walking pattern. Rachel will take a full history, examine your child, assess movement and development and provide clear advice or treatment if needed, which may include exercises, footwear guidance or orthotic insoles.

When should I take my child to see a podiatrist?Rachel2026-03-23T10:29:28+00:00

When should I take my child to see a podiatrist?

Your child should see a podiatrist if they have foot pain, recurrent infections, ingrown toenails or you have concerns about their lower limb development. Your child may have discomfort when walking or running or in sports activities. Some foot types are normal in children but an assessment can offer reassurance and identify anything that may benefit from early support and a treatment plan.

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