As the warmer weather has hardened cricket grounds, basketball stadiums are back in use and football boots are being pulled out of the cupboard, the complaint of sore heels in our young folk is becoming more common. The podiatrists at Eastern Foot Care Knox and Eastern Foot Care Ringwood are seeing a significant number of children with various injuries but particularly heel pain at this time of the year.

Heel pain in boys and girls roughly up to age 13-14 may be diagnosed by your Podiatrist as calcaneal apophysitis, otherwise known as Severs Disease. Whilst this might not be the case with all heel pain experienced in kids, a full biomechanical assessment by your Podiatrist will confirm diagnosis.

Severs disease often affects young boys and girls between the ages of 9 to 14. During this time of rapid growth undue stress can be placed on tendon and bones and active young people who engage in sports that involve jumping and running may often develop tight calf muscles and Achilles tendons. This in turn may cause a traction injury on the heel bone leading to inflammation and pain at the tendon attachment. This condition will not lead to long term complications however high levels of pain may be experienced by the child and sometimes lumps behind the heel bone may also arise.

Rest ultimately is the best remedy however your Podiatrist may advise a specific treatment plan to manage the condition and allow continued sport participation. Different factors such as biomechanical alignment, footwear options, amount of activity and inflammation level may dictate the best course of treatment.

If heel pain has been an issue for your young one or somebody you know, an appointment with one of our friendly Sports Podiatrists at Eastern Foot Care Knox and Eastern Foot Care Ringwood for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan may be in order!