Sever’s Disease

SEVER’S DISEASE

Sever’s Disease is an inflammation of a growth plate at the back of the heel.  It affects children between the ages of 8-14. This is an injury to the growth plate in the back of your heel. During development, all bones in the body start as cartilage and fill in with calcium and other minerals to create a strong skeleton.

Sever’s is found in children with severe high arches as well with children with very flat feet.  Mainly what is happening is that the muscles in the leg are very tight.  The Achilles Tendon is a tendon that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone.  When the tendon is tight, it will put more tension on the growth plate.  This inflames the plate which causes pain.

In the old days, doctors will tell parents that their child will have to rest it.  However, it is impossible to keep a young child from being active, so this reasoning was impractical.  At NJ Heel Pain Centers, we see many children with this problem.  We make sure they can continue their activity and get them back playing in their sport as quickly as possible.

TREATMENT:

On the first visit, we recommend heel lifts to remove the tension of the Achilles Tendon on the heel bone.  We also use  a minimal taping technique that stabilizes the heel bone.  The tape is only left on for a few days.  Again, by removing the tension of the tendon on the heel bone, we can decrease the amount of inflammation in the area.  In addition, moist heat to the area helps.

Anti-inflammatories, like children’s Motrin is also recommended.  However, we don’t recommend it for long term use,  just for a few days.  After the area of inflammation is quieted down, the patient will undergo stretching exercises.   Physical therapy will help the child stretch the muscles to decrease the pull on the developing heel bone. The use of a  Theraband can be used to strengthen the area.

So, first we calmed down the inflammation and then we stretched and strengthen the leg muscles.  The next step is to eliminate the pain totally and prevent it from coming back.  This is achieved with custom inserts called orthotics.  The orthotics are customized for the patient’s foot.  In essence, orthotics control excessive motion as well as realigns the foot in order to relax the muscles and tendons.  With this treatment protocol, children can get back to their activities very quickly.  No need to stop playing.

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