For some kids, it may be a temporary condition called Sever’s disease.
Kelsey Keyworth remembers thinking it was just a silly phase when her son, Trae, was walking and running on his tippy toes. But when it continued, she asked him about it and his answer surprised her. “It hurts when I walk,” he said.
She immediately took him to the pediatrician, who referred her to podiatrist James Stough, DPM, FACFAS, of St. Mary’s Physician Associates. He diagnosed the condition as Sever’s disease, which is one of the most common causes of heel pain in growing children and adolescents, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Stough explains that Sever’s is an inflammation of an open growth plate in the heel. It tends to occur in kids who do a lot of running and jumping and are active in sports, like Trae. For children with this condition, X-rays are typically normal, and a diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms, such as pain with activity. Sever’s can potentially recur until the growth plate closes, which typically happens around the mid-teens, Dr. Stough says. “The biggest hurdle,” he says, “is parent education, so they understand what it is and how to treat it.”
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Treatment may include wearing a heel lift inside the shoe, lots of stretching, rest, ice, or in more severe cases physical therapy or immobilization with a boot or fiberglass cast, Dr. Stough says. Some preventive measures are to stretch before and after exercise; avoid running on hard surfaces; wear well-fitting, high-quality shoes; and, in some cases, an orthotic support may be used.
Keyworth is happy to report that Trae is feeling better, and if the problem comes back, they will be prepared. She hopes their story can help others spot the warning signs of Sever’s disease and find relief during those active growing years.
Put your best foot forward this spring
As the weather warms up and people are more active with sports and physical activities, kids aren’t the only ones at possible risk of foot troubles. Dr. Stough says that stress fractures can sometimes occur in people of different ages, causing problems like pain, swelling and soreness in the forefoot, with no recollection of an injury. If you have concerns about keeping your feet healthy, see your doctor.