Another one of those growing pains commonly seen in children is Sever’s Disease, in which the growth plate in the heel bone is the one that is affected. 🦶🏼

This is mainly seen during growth spurts, as bones, muscles, tendons and other structures are all changing rapidly but not all at the same rate. Bones often grow faster than muscles so the calf muscles and Achilles tendon may become relatively “shortened” or tight in comparison to the shin bone during a child’s physical development. 🦴

The calf muscles and Achilles tendon will pull on the heel bone with every step, run, or jump, stressing the growth plate. Just like Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD), repeated activities will stress the growth plate, causing it to be irritated and inflamed. 💢

You may notice:
🔺Your child limping, especially after running
🔺Tenderness and swelling at heel
🔺Your child’s heels lift up early during walking due to calf tightness
🔺Your child complaining of foot discomfort or stiffness after sleep
🔺Reluctance to continue playing sport or running around

Also similar to OSD, Sever’s Disease will improve and the pain will settle once the bones fuse together. This may take time however and symptoms may persist, so here are some ways to help manage the pain:
🔹Reduce painful activities
🔹Heel pads to absorb impact and reduce stress on the heel
🔹Change footwear to better suit your child’s feet
🔹Icing or NSAIDs
🔹Stretching exercises


How can physiotherapy help?
✅Proper assessment & diagnosis
✅Modalities to manage pain & swelling
✅Advice on appropriate exercises e.g. calf stretching
✅Advice on appropriate load management & monitoring

Check in with our physiotherapists for more advice. 😊 Send us a DM or contact us at 82182905 / 62620970!📱

Sources:
📝1. Sever’s Disease. (n.d.). OrthoInfo. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/severs-disease/
📝2. Sever’s Disease | Boston Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/severs-disease
📝3. Brukner, P. (2023). Peter Brukner ,Karim Khan’sClinical Sports Medicine Third Revised Edition (Sports Medicine Series) [Hardcover](2010) (3 edition). McGraw-Hill Book Company Australia.

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