Mum, my heels hurt! Heel pain in Children

Keeping your children’s feet happy and healthy is essential as we approach the cooler months. Whether your child is playing football, netball, soccer, or anything in between, ask if they are experiencing any heel pain. In young and active children, heel pain is very common, and it could be Sever’s disease (also known as ‘calcaneal apophysitis’). This condition results in painful heels, limping after exercise, and reduced participation. It is crucial to get on top of this pain quickly so your child doesn’t need to have extended time away from the sport they love.


What is Severs disease?

Between the ages of 8-14, children experience a significant period of growth. As your child grows, there is a soft piece of bone at the back of your heel called a growth plate. In very active and fast-growing children, the calf muscle can pull on this growth plate, causing pain in the back of the heel.


Your child may limp and complain of pain during or after activity. One or both feet may be affected.


Sever’s disease will resolve in 6-12 months in most cases; however, the pain can be severe, and seeking treatment is recommended to support the injured area and help with symptomatic relief throughout the fusion period.


How can your Podiatrist help?

  • Orthotics – specialised insoles can help support and realign the lower limbs throughout this growth period. They aid in reducing pain and providing shock absorption so your child can continue to play the sport they love without pain.
  • Strapping – specific strapping techniques can help reduce the stress placed on the heel when playing sport and allow for a longer time on the court or field.
  • Stretching – a tailored stretching program can be prescribed to assist your muscles in growing without strain.
  • Footwear advice – wearing the right shoe for the chosen sport is extremely important in supporting the feet.


If your child complains of persistent pain around the back of the heels, ensure to see one of the friendly faces at Sole Focus Podiatry so that we can help relieve your child’s heel pain.


This article was written by our Podiatrist, Sophie. To book an appointment with Sophie, click here. 

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A recent study shows that 1 in 5 people develop foot pain at some stage throughout their lives. This is influenced by your job, activity, and lifestyle, and the more active you are, the more likely you will develop foot pain. Fixing foot pain is what we do, so how does your Podiatrist at Sole Focus Podiatry support your sole? We have many treatment options available, and the underlying cause of your sore feet will determine the best treatment option. Footwear Advice In some cases, simple footwear advice is all that’s required, and it’s essential to make sure your footwear matches the activity and your foot type. If you’re on your feet all day, then you need a shoe that is both supportive and stable and has adequate cushioning. Suitable footwear comes with a price, but how valuable are your feet? Orthotics If you have flat feet, you may benefit from having orthotics made. When you stand, if your foot flattens and rolls inwards at the ankle too much, it places a lot of on the muscles and tendons, and this is often the source of many long-term foot and ankle problems. Shockwave Therapy If you have a typical foot type, and we’ll tell you if this is the case, yet you are still getting sore feet, you may benefit from Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave therapy delivers gentle, focused acoustic waves to the painful/damaged tissues. It is clinically proven to treat various foot and leg conditions, including heel pain, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and knee pain. Exercises Yes, suitable footwear and orthotics can help, but you need to focus on strengthening your feet so they can withstand higher forces. Our Podiatrists can curate a personalized stretching and strengthening program to help keep your feet and legs strong! Take Action Untreated foot problems can and will lead to long-term joint damage and arthritis, so putting it off now will only make things worse later. No two feet are the same, which is why our podiatrists are trained to offer various treatment options. To make an appointment with one of our experienced Podiatrists, call us on (07) 4529 7430 or book an appointment here .
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