Understanding Sever's Disease: Why Heel Pain Comes and Goes in Children
If your child experiences intermittent heel pain diagnosed as Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis), you may notice that symptoms seem to come and go. Understanding this cyclical nature is crucial for effectively managing your child's condition and avoiding common misconceptions about recovery.
What is Sever’s Disease?
Sever's disease primarily affects active children aged 8–15, especially during rapid growth spurts. It involves inflammation of the heel's growth plate (calcaneus), caused by repeated stress from sports and high-impact activities.
Common symptoms include:
Heel pain
Limping
Difficulty in walking or running
Noticeable change in walking or running gait
The Cyclical Pattern of Sever’s Disease
Sever's disease typically cycles through two distinct phases:
Painful Flare-Ups
During growth spurts or increased physical activity, children may experience significant heel pain, limping, and reduced participation in sports.
Symptom-Free Periods
These intervals can last weeks or even months, misleading parents to believe their child has fully recovered. However, symptoms typically return when the child experiences another growth spurt or increases their activity levels.
Why Symptoms Come and Go
The intermittent nature of Sever’s disease relates directly to your child's growth patterns. The growth plate in the heel is particularly vulnerable during periods of rapid bone growth. Once a growth spurt ends and bone growth slows, inflammation and pain may temporarily subside, creating a deceptive sense of recovery.
Common Misconceptions About Sever's Disease
Many parents mistakenly interpret symptom-free intervals as complete healing, leading them to discontinue critical management strategies prematurely. Unfortunately, this often results in more intense and prolonged flare-ups, significantly impacting the child's quality of life and participation in activities.
Importance of Consistent Treatment with Solemaids
To effectively manage Sever’s disease, continuous care is essential, even during symptom-free periods. Research consistently shows that Solemaids insoles are significantly more effective than other treatments in reducing heel pressure and managing symptoms.
Benefits of Solemaids include:
Superior Pressure Relief: Solemaids insoles actually ‘float’ or ‘suspend’ the heel inside the child’s shoe, effectively reducing pressure during heel strikes.
Proven Effectiveness: Clinical studies demonstrate Solemaids provide significantly better outcomes compared to traditional heel lifts and generic orthotics.
Rapid Symptom Relief: Many children experience complete relief within a few weeks of consistently using Solemaids.
When Will Sever’s Disease Fully Resolve?
Traditional treatments like heel lifts, generic orthotics, rest, and stretching often fail to provide lasting relief, meaning Sever’s disease typically persists until the heel bone fully matures, around age 15. However, clinical research indicates that children using Solemaids insoles experience a significantly lower recurrence rate, and many report sustained relief, enabling consistent participation in sports and activities without recurring severe flare-ups.
Expert Care at The Severs Centre
At The Severs Centre, our experts specialize in evidence-based treatment using Solemaids, designed specifically for Sever's disease. With consistent use and expert guidance, your child can effectively navigate through their growth years with minimal disruptions.
Key Takeaways
Sever’s disease is cyclical, involving periods of flare-ups and symptom-free phases.
Symptom-free periods do not signify complete healing; consistent care with Solemaids is essential.
Solemaids insoles offer clinically proven, superior relief from Sever's disease symptoms and significantly reduce recurrence.
Full recovery occurs when the heel bone fully matures around age 15.
Contact The Severs Centre today for personalized care and expert guidance on managing your child's Sever’s disease effectively with Solemaids.
