Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain in active children and adolescents.

It commonly develops during growth periods and is often aggravated by running, jumping, and sport participation.

Common signs may include:

• Heel pain during or after sport

• Limping after activity

• Pain when getting out of bed in the morning

• Tenderness around the heel

• Difficulty running or jumping comfortably

• Symptoms that flare up with increased activity

Treatment is tailored to the individual child and may include:

• Clinical assessment

• Education around Sever’s disease

• Activity and footwear guidance

• Load management advice

• Fitting of the Solemaids semi-custom biomechanical insert where clinically appropriate

Solemaids are a semi-custom biomechanical insert designed specifically for active children with Sever’s disease and adolescent heel pain.

The insert is fitted and modified based on the child’s footwear, symptoms, activity demands, and foot shape.

Not always.

Management recommendations are based on the individual child’s symptoms, activity levels, and sport demands. Some children may be able to continue participating in modified or monitored activity during management.

The duration of symptoms varies between children depending on factors such as growth patterns, sport participation, activity levels, and symptom severity.

Some children improve relatively quickly, while others may require longer-term management and monitoring.

Sever’s disease is a common growth-related condition and does not usually cause permanent damage. However, ongoing heel pain can significantly impact a child’s sport participation, confidence, and activity levels if not appropriately managed.

You must bring:

• The shoes your child commonly wears for sport

• School shoes if relevant

• Any existing inserts or heel cups

• Comfortable clothing suitable for assessment

An assessment with one of our clinicians can help determine whether our management approach may be appropriate for your child’s symptoms, activity levels, and sport participation.

Yes, you can use your private health insurance for the appointment.

No referral is required to book an appointment at The Severs Centre.

Solemaids only need to be worn for a period of 6 months before they can be phased out of your child’s shoe. For the majority of children, they are able to go 6 months in their sporting shoes/boots without needing to get bigger ones! If their foot does grow substantially during that time & they go up a shoe size, they will require a larger pair of Solemaids.

No, the Solemaids do not fit in shoes along with orthotics. The treatment plan we suggest in this instance is for your child to wear Solemaids while they are doing their sport training & games, and wear their orthotics day to day. This way, both the Sever’s pain and the arch issues are getting addressed.

No, not at all. The Solemaids are designed with a subtle rocking element to them, allowing your child to maintain their natural foot strike as they walk & run - there are no changes to their running or walking gait.