Do I Have Sever’s Disease?

Are you between 8 and 15 years old?

Are you engaged in sports that involve running and jumping on hard surfaces (track, basketball, gymnastics)?

Do you have pain, swelling, or redness in one or both heels?

Do you have pain that is localized on the back of the heel?

Do you have tenderness and tightness in the back of the heel that feels worse when the area is squeezed?

Do you have a heel pain that gets worse after running or jumping?

Do you have a heel pain that feels better after rest?

Do you have trouble walking?

Do you walk or run with a limp or on tip toes?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis. It is a medical condition characterized by an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel (calcaneus). The bones have a special area where the bone grows which is called the growth plate. The growth plate is made of cartilage and it is located near the ends of the bones. When a person's growth is complete, the growth plates are replaced by solid bones. The growth plate in the heel is weaker than nearby tendons and ligaments and can be easily injured.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is a condition that refers to a heel pain due to inflammation of the growth plate in your heel. It is the most common cause of heal pain in growing children and adolescents. The growth plate in the heel is the point where the Achilles tendon attaches. It is a strong tendon that connects the calf muscles at the back of your leg to your heel. For that reason, repeated stress due to running or jumping can lead to injury to the growth plate in the heel.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease is a medical condition that refers to a heel injury. It usually affects boys between the ages of 10 and 15, and girls between the ages of 8 and 13. Severs’s disease does not cause any long-term problems and the symptoms often subside within a few months. A diagnosis is based on an examination of your foot and ankle. The treatment goal is to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor will recommend rest and taking time off from sports. Wearing sneakers that provide good foot support can prevent the recurrence of Sever's disease.