What is sever's heel? It is a bone disorder which occurs in the heel of children. It can be very painful and is caused by swelling in the growth plate of the heel. It affects girls between the age of 8 to 13 and boys aged 10 to 15. This coincides with their growth spurt and usually lasts 2 years. It rarely occurs in older teens as the growth plate has already formed into mature bone by the age of 15. Symptoms may include pain in the back of the heel; the pain can also be in the base of the heel. If you find it difficult to walk or have redness or swelling in the heel, you may find the pain will be worse after some form of exercise or activity.
Causes
One of the main causes of sever's heel is over exercising on hard surfaces i.e. running, playing football, basketball or gymnastics. You may be surprised to hear that standing for too long can cause sever's heel; poorly fitting shoes can also be a contributing factor. Over pronation can also be a cause because it increases pressure on the Achilles tendon, which pulls the growth plate in the heel. Having flat or high arched feet can affect the angle of the heel which can lead to the Achilles tendon to shorten causing sever's heel. Obesity puts extra weight and pressure on the growth plate which your heel can do without if you are suffering from sever's heel.
SEVERS
During puberty it is also possible for the heel bone to grow faster than the leg muscles and tendons. This can cause the muscles and tendons to stretch and tighten; therefore reducing the heels flexibility. This can increase pressure on the growth plate causing sever's heel.
Symptoms
One of the most common sign's of sever's heel is feeling pain at the back of one or both heels. If your child is having difficulty walking, check the heel for swelling. Some of the other symptoms are; stiffness in the feet, pain when the child first steps out of bed and feeling pain when the heel is squeezed.
Treatment
First and for most, you should avoid the activities that cause the pain until all the symptoms have gone. A good over the counter pain medicine should be used to provide relief. Your child may be able to go swimming or cycling as these activities tend not to put any pressure on your heels, but check with your doctor first. Putting your child's feet up and using ice treatment (remember not to apply ice direct to the skin) for about 20 minutes will help reduce swelling. Performing leg and foot exercises will help strengthen the muscles and tendons.
Finally
With the proper care it will take between 2 to 8 weeks to heal. However, it can re-occur if measures are not taken to protect the heel. You should ensure that the child has a good quality pair of shoes that fit properly and have a shock absorbing sole. Shoe inserts like heel pads can be used to provide extra cushioning for the heel. Arch supports are good too as they support and keep the heel in the ideal position.
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