{"id":2522,"date":"2025-05-13T11:46:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T08:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/2025\/05\/13\/severs-disease-in-children-a-parents-guide\/"},"modified":"2025-05-13T11:46:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T08:46:12","slug":"severs-disease-in-children-a-parents-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/2025\/05\/13\/severs-disease-in-children-a-parents-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Sever\u2019s Disease in Children: A Parent\u2019s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sever\u2019s disease<\/strong>, also known as calcaneal apophysitis<\/strong>, is one of the most common causes of heel pain in children and adolescents. It is an inflammatory condition that typically affects children aged 8\u201315<\/strong>, especially those who participate in high-impact sports such as football, basketball, or running. <\/p>\n

Although it can be painful, Sever\u2019s disease does not cause permanent damage and is managed with conservative measures.<\/p>\n

What is Sever\u2019s Disease?<\/h2>\n

Sever\u2019s disease is a type of osteochondritis<\/strong>\u2014inflammation of the growth plate (apophysis) in the heel. Pain results from the repeated stress placed on the immature heel bone by the Achilles tendon<\/strong> and calf muscles. This stress can lead to inflammation and discomfort in the area. <\/p>\n

Causes and Risk Factors<\/h2>\n

Sever\u2019s disease usually occurs during periods of rapid growth<\/strong>, when bones grow faster than muscles and tendons can adapt. Key risk factors include: <\/p>\n

    \n
  • Sports activity<\/strong>: Jumping, running, and sudden directional changes put extra strain on the heel.<\/li>\n
  • Growth spurts<\/strong>: Pre-teens are especially at risk due to increased bone sensitivity to mechanical stress.<\/li>\n
  • Improper footwear<\/strong>: Shoes without adequate shock absorption may worsen the pain.<\/li>\n
  • Flat feet or high arches<\/strong>: These can lead to uneven weight distribution and increased pressure on the heel.<\/li>\n
  • Overuse without adequate rest.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Symptoms of Sever\u2019s Disease<\/h2>\n

    This condition may affect one or both heels<\/strong>, and typical symptoms include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Heel pain<\/strong> that worsens with physical activity.<\/li>\n
    • Discomfort when bearing weight on the heel<\/strong> after exercise or walking.<\/li>\n
    • Tenderness at the back of the heel<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • Stiffness or tightness in the Achilles tendon<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • Limping or changes in walking patterns<\/strong> as the child tries to avoid putting pressure on the heel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Symptoms usually improve with rest but may return if physical stress continues.<\/p>\n

      Diagnosis<\/h2>\n

      Sever\u2019s disease is diagnosed clinically, often without the need for imaging. The physician will: <\/p>\n

        \n
      • Take a history of the child\u2019s physical activity and pain.<\/li>\n
      • Perform a physical exam to check for heel tenderness.<\/li>\n
      • Ask the child to stand on their toes (if this causes pain, Sever\u2019s disease is likely).<\/li>\n
      • X-rays may be used to rule out other conditions (like fractures), but are not necessary for diagnosis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Treatment and Management<\/h2>\n

        The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation and pain<\/strong> while allowing normal growth to continue.<\/p>\n

        Rest and Activity Modification<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Reduce or temporarily stop sports activities until pain subsides.<\/li>\n
        • Avoid jumping, running, and exercising on hard surfaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Ice and Anti-Inflammatory Measures<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Apply ice to the heel for 15\u201320 minutes, 2\u20133 times per day.<\/li>\n
          • Use over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen or paracetamol) under medical guidance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Stretching and Physical Therapy\u0394\u03b9\u03b1\u03c4\u03ac\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c6\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03b8\u03b5\u03c1\u03b1\u03c0\u03b5\u03af\u03b1<\/h3>\n
              \n
            • Stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon and calf muscles<\/strong> to relieve tension on the heel.<\/li>\n
            • Strengthening exercises for the lower leg<\/strong> to improve stability and shock absorption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Orthotic Support<\/h3>\n
                \n
              • Shoe inserts (orthotics) and supportive footwear<\/strong> can help reduce pressure on the heel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                Gradual Return to Activity<\/h2>\n
                  \n
                • Once the pain subsides, the child can return to sports gradually, with proper warm-ups and stretching.<\/li>\n
                • Avoid overtraining, especially during growth spurts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Preventing Sever\u2019s Disease<\/h2>\n
                    \n
                  1. Choose proper footwear<\/strong> with good shock absorption and consider using orthotic insoles.<\/li>\n
                  2. Strengthen and stretch the muscles<\/strong> of the feet and calves regularly.<\/li>\n
                  3. Avoid overexertion<\/strong> and ensure adequate rest between physical activities.<\/li>\n
                  4. Maintain good hydration<\/strong> and a balanced diet to support muscle flexibility and endurance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    When to See a Doctor<\/h2>\n

                    If the pain is severe, lasts longer than 2\u20133 weeks,<\/strong> or interferes with walking, a consultation with a pediatric orthopedic specialist is recommended.
                    While Sever\u2019s disease does not cause long-term damage, early diagnosis and proper management can prevent ongoing discomfort and support faster recovery. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Sever\u2019s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is one of the most common causes of heel pain in children and adolescents. It is an inflammatory condition that typically affects children aged 8\u201315, especially those who participate in high-impact sports such as football, basketball, or running. Although it can be painful, Sever\u2019s disease does not cause […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2401,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2522"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2522\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.osteohealth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}