Rest the heel, not the child.
If your child's heel pain settles with rest but returns every time they get back to sport, our treatment approach begins with one simple question:
How can we reduce the impact and pressure going through the heel, without simply asking your child to stop doing what they love?
That's the philosophy behind everything we do at The Severs Centre.
Does this sound familiar?
Your child loves playing sport...
...but every time they get back to it, the heel pain returns.
So they take a break.
The pain settles.
Everyone thinks it's getting better.
Then they return to sport...
...and before long, they're limping off the field again.
If you've found yourself caught in this frustrating cycle, you're certainly not alone.
It's one of the most common stories we hear from parents before they visit The Severs Centre.
Why does this happen?
For many children, heel pain improves when they stop running and jumping.
But once they return to sport...
...the pain often returns too.
Why?
Because rest temporarily reduces the repeated impact and pressure going through the heel.
When your child goes back to sport, those same forces return.
For many children, this may help explain why the pain keeps coming back.
At The Severs Centre, this simple observation shapes everything we do.
Rather than asking...
"How do we stop children playing sport?"
We ask...
"How can we reduce the impact and pressure going through the heel while keeping children active?"
That philosophy forms the foundation of our treatment approach, and is why the Solemaids custom insoles are our preferred treatment method - where appropriate.
Recommendations are always based on an individual assessment and not every child will require the same management approach.
Rest the heel, not the child.
Why we use Solemaids
More than a traditional shoe insert.
Solemaids were developed in Denmark with a different way of thinking.
Rather than simply cushioning the heel, Solemaids are designed with the aim of reducing the repeated impact and pressure beneath the painful area by creating a small space beneath the heel.
We call this the floating heel.
It's this unique design philosophy that makes Solemaids different from traditional methods of treatment.
What happens during your appointment?
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Yes, you can use your private health insurance for the appointment.
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No referral is required to book an appointment at The Severs Centre.
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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.
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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.
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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.