Posted On: November 11, 2020
Symptoms of Sever’s Disease, Causes, Treatment in Dallas, Plano & Texas is a type of bone injury in which the growth plate in the lower back of the heel becomes inflamed and irritated causing pain. The growth plate is a layer of cartilage in the lower back of the heel where most growth of the bone takes place.
Sever’s disease is the most common cause of heel pain in growing children and adolescents. It especially affects growing children and adolescents who exercise or play sports regularly.
Pain or tenderness in one or both heels is the most common symptoms of Sever’s disease. The pain is usually felt at the back of the heel and may extend to the sides and bottom of the heel.
Other symptoms include:
The first treatment option for individuals with Sever’s disease is to abstain from exercises or activities that can put pressure on the heel. Avoid walking, running, jogging, and other weight-bearing exercises or activities to take pressure off the heel bone.
Other treatment options that may be recommended include:
Sever’s disease can come and go. It may permanently go away on its own with proper treatment, resting, and avoiding exercises or activities that can worsen your symptoms. Sever’s disease typically last for 2-3 months. It can last longer in some people and can recur with time.
Resting and taking pressure off the heel, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and applying ice on the affected heel are some of the fastest ways to get rid of Sever’s disease.
The strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone is called Achilles’ tendon. Repetitive stress on the Achilles’ tendon can cause Sever’s disease.
The heel bone grows faster than the ligaments in the leg, and due to the increased growth rate, the muscles and tendons can become very tight and overstretched. The heel is also susceptible to injury since the foot is one of the first parts of the body to grow to full size and the weight of the whole body is exerted on the heel and foot. Pressure is exerted on the foot when standing, running, walking, or jugging. Constant pressure on the heel can damage the growth plate which can cause pain and inflammation.
Treatment for Sever’s disease focuses on reducing pressure on the affected heel and also to reduce pain and swelling. Limiting or avoiding exercises and activities that exerts pressure on the heel is very important. Engaging in exercises or sports that exert pressure on the heel such as running, football, high jump, jogging, etc, are not advised. If you must play sports, engage in sports that you won’t put pressure on your heel such as swimming.
Sever’s disease can go away on its own with rest and avoiding exercises or activities that exert pressure on your heel. If symptoms persist, you should seek necessary treatments to avoid worsening your symptoms.
Does massage help Sever’s disease?Soft tissue massage or joint mobilizations are some pain reducing techniques that your physiotherapist can use to reduce pain from Sever’s disease.
Sever’s disease pain is usually described as a bruise or stabbing pain. The pain is commonly felt at the back of the heel, but may also be felt at the sides and bottom of the heel. The pain tends to get worse during or immediately after an exercise or physical activity. The pain usually reduces when at rest.
Sever’s disease does not require surgery. Symptoms completely go away when the growth plates heal.
Yes. Compression socks provide support to the arch and heel. It also helps to reinforce the growth plate and relieve pressure on the Achilles tendon. Compression socks also provide relief by encouraging blood circulation, which prevents fluid build-up and swelling.
No, they are not the same. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, while Sever’s disease is the inflammation or damage of the growth plate.
Sever’s disease typically affects growing children and adolescents. This is because the growth plate is still in the process of fusing together in growing children and adolescents. In adults, the growth plates have already completely fused together. The back of the heel hardens and becomes stronger, making it difficult to get irritated or inflamed.
Sever’s disease is more common in growing children between the age of 7 and 15 years old. This means it can cause heel pain in a 12 year old boy or girl.
The growth plates are also found in the knee. During high impact exercises or activities such as football, jumping, basketball, jogging, the knee and foot can get irritated or inflamed. The more stress placed on the growth plates, the more you’re likely to feel pain in your knee and foot.
If you have Sever’s disease seek the right treatment by calling Dr. Graff or booking an appointment. You can do this by visiting his official website at drgraff.com.
