Sever’s disease is a condition found in children where the bone of the heel grows faster than other tendons and muscles in the leg. As those muscles and tendons grow they add stress to the heel’s growth plate. As a result, the plate starts to swell and feel tender. There are ways of helping children get through this problem, however. Medi-Dyne has products that can help treat the condition so that they can continue to pursue the activities they love.
Risk Factors
There are some risk factors that can make children more prone to developing Sever’s disease. If the child’s foot is pronated that can make the Achilles tendon tight and increase strain on the heel’s growth plate. Also, several sports put additional pressure on the heel, such as gymnastics, track and basketball. Children who have flat or higher than normal arches are also more apt to develop the condition.
Symptoms
There are several symptoms of Sever’s disease other than the most common ones of pain and tenderness. Here are some others:
- Redness in the heel
- Swelling and inflammation
- Discomfort when the heel is squeezed
- Tiptoeing or limping to reduce pressure on the heel’s growth plate
- Difficulty running, jumping or walking
How to Treat the Condition
We offer products that can help your child find relief from Sever’s disease. It is very important to treat the condition once symptoms develop, because if they are untreated the child may have to wear a cast for as long as three months. Our Tuli’s Heavy Duty Heel Cups provide support and cushioning to the heel, distributing body weight to the outer area of the foot. The ProStretch Plus can provide an effective stretch to the plantar fascia area of the foot, which helps speed healing and reduce pain.
If you have a child who suffers from Sever’s disease, please seek medical attention as soon as you can. If you have any questions, contact Medi-Dyne online or give us a call at 800-810-1740. Do you have a child who has the condition? Let us know how you help him or her deal with it by clicking one of the social media icons on this page.
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