Are your child’s heel pains keeping them from enjoying sports and playtime? Have you noticed them wincing with every step, wondering if this is just a phase or something more serious? If so, you might be dealing with sever's disease, a common yet often misunderstood condition affecting young athletes.
Sever's disease, or calcaneal apophysitis, typically strikes children aged 8 to 14 years as rapid growth and development occurs. This condition can turn fun-filled days into frustrating ones, leading to halted progress in sports and activities due to heel pain. With the rise of youth sports participation, it's essential for parents, coaches, and athletes to have a thorough understanding of this topic.
Physiotherapy plays a vital role in managing and treating sever's disease, aiding in not only pain relief but also in restoring mobility and confidence. By employing targeted exercises, personalised treatment plans, and education on proper biomechanics, physiotherapy can make a significant difference in the recovery journey.
What is sever's disease?
Sever's disease is a common condition that causes pain in the heel of children and adolescents. While it can be quite painful, it is a self-limiting condition that doesn't usually cause any long-term problems. Sever's disease is quite common and is the leading cause of heel pain in children and young adolescents.
Also known as calcaneal apophysitis, Sever's disease is an inflammatory condition of the calcaneal growth plate of the heel. A growth plate is the area of bone where new bone is produced in the growing skeleton and is often weaker than other bony areas. Repeated or excessive stress on this area can cause it to become inflamed and painful.
Common symptoms of sever's disease
Active children might complain of worse heel pain when walking, running, or jumping. This may occur following an increase in activity or after a rapid growth spurt. Pain may also be felt when walking on heels.
Common causes sever's disease and how it happens
The Achilles tendon attaches to the back of the heel, just next to the calcaneal growth plate, and puts force through this area during gait. If this force becomes too great, this growth plate can become irritated, starting a painful inflammatory process.
While increased activity in children is a predisposing risk factor, other things may also contribute, such as reduced movement of the ankle, abnormal foot movements when walking, and tight calf muscles. It is also possible that sever's disease will appear with no apparent cause.
While this is a self-limiting disorder that will typically go away on its own without long-term complications as the skeletal system completes growth. It can be quite painful, and this may impact your child's activity levels and gait pattern.
To prevent any long-term issues from adaptations or changes in activity levels, your physiotherapist can work with your child to find solutions that allow maximum movement with minimum pain.
Physiotherapy treatment options for sever's disease
Most of the time, simple education and relative rest or ceasing of aggravating activities are effective; however, recent studies have found that properly fitted orthotics can help reduce pain while maintaining activity.
Physiotherapists can provide an accurate diagnosis to address any factors that may have caused excess stress in this region, such as abnormally tight muscles or poor gait patterns. They can also advise of pain-relieving treatments and alternative forms of exercise if necessary.
Physiotherapy techniques for sever's disease
1. Rest and Ice
-
Rest
Limiting activities that aggravate the pain, especially those involving running and jumping.
-
Ice
Applying ice packs to the heel for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a day, can help reduce inflammation.
2. Stretching exercises
-
Calf stretches
Stretching the calf muscles can alleviate tension in the Achilles tendon.
-
Achilles tendon stretching
These exercises can improve flexibility and range of motion and reduce strain on the heel.
3. Strengthening exercises
-
Calf and ankle strengthening
Building strength in these muscles can support the heel and improve overall foot function.
4. Footwear and orthotics
-
Proper Footwear
Wearing supportive shoes with good arch support can help reduce stress on the heel.
-
Orthotics or heel wedges
Custom-made or off the shelf orthotics or even heel wedges can provide additional support and cushioning to the heel.
5. Manual Therapy
-
Massage
Massaging the calf muscles can help reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow.
-
Joint mobilisation
This technique can improve joint range of motion and reduce stiffness.
When to seek physiotherapy for sever's disease
- Persistent heel pain.
- Difficulty walking or running.
- Limited range of motion in the ankle joint.
Final thoughts
Physiotherapy for Sever's disease is a game-changer for young athletes suffering from heel pain. By incorporating activity modification, targeted therapies, exercises, and education into their recovery, kids can bounce back stronger and keep their passion for physical activities alive.
Remember, it's about nurturing their bodies today to ensure they stay active and pain-free tomorrow. Don't let heel pain sideline your child's dreams—embrace the healing power of physiotherapy and watch them soar!
