What is Sever’s disease?

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis. It is the result of inflammation or swelling to the growth plate in the heel.

Sever’s disease is a very common cause of heel pain in children. Children who is active tends to experience the heel pain more. Sever’s disease usually occurs during the growth spurt of children. Sever’s disease is unlikely to affect older teens as their growth plate has harden.

Sever’s disease is similar to Osgood- Schlatter disease, which this condition affects the knee.

What are the causes of Sever’s disease?

During the growth spurt, some children’s heel bone may grow faster than the muscles and tendons of the leg. This causes stress to the muscles and tendons and in turn affect the heel and the growth plate. Over a period of time, this stress is causing stress repeatedly to the heel, and cause swelling and inflammation.

Children who are highly involve in sports, or stand for long periods have a higher tendency to get Sever’s disease. Poor-fitting shoes may also contribute to the heel pain factor as well.

The below conditions increase the chance of the children in getting Sever’s disease:

  • Pronated foot
  • Flat foot
  • High arch foot
  • Short leg syndrome
  • Overweight or obese children

What are the symptoms of Sever’s disease?

Children may experience the below symptoms for Sever’s disease:

  • Pain in one or both heels
  • Swollen heel
  • Unable to weight bear
  • Stiffness to the feet first thing in the morning when your child wakes up
  • Pain increase when the heel is squeeze from both sides

How to diagnose Sever’s disease?

Physical examination by our specialist on the heels. Squeeze test to the heels. X-ray may be recommended for some cases.

What are the treatments for Sever’s disease?

Sever’s disease is usually treated conservatively. The treatments to Sever’s disease include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medicine
  • Physiotherapy

Sever’s Disease Doctor

Dr Kevin Yip

Dr Kevin Yip Orthopaedic Surgeon Gleneagles Singapore

Book Appointment Online for Broken Finger Treatment

Call Now ButtonCall Now +65 66532604