Sever's Disease (Children's Foot Pain)

Calcaneal apophysitis, previously known as Severs disease, is a very common cause of heel pain in children. Severs disease has been renamed due to the fact that the condition is not a disease! Instead an overuse condition which affects the growth plate on the heel (calcaneaus).

Calcaneal apophysitis most often occurs in children between the ages of 8 to 14 and is more common in boys than girls.

Severs' Disease Symptoms

  • Pain or tenderness in the heel (especially squeezing edges of heel)
  • Discomfort upon walking 1st thing in morning
  • Limping, difficulty with walking
  • More pain associated with running, jumping and playing sport – during and after 

Severs' Disease Causes

Although every child goes through the stage of having an open growth plate in their heel, not every child will develop pain. A growth plate is an area of bone which is yet to have fully developed – a very normal phase of a child’s development. 

Calcaneal apophysitis is theorised to be caused as a result of children’s bones growing faster than their muscles, and as a result increasing the strain put onto the Achilles tendon heel bone. Due to the nature of the condition, certain children are more prone than others.

These can include children with:

  • Flat feet/collapsing arches
  • Heavier and taller kids are more likely to develop heel pain
  • Play high impact sports such as soccer, hockey, football etc.
  • Hard playing surfaces, lots of barefoot running, hard ground with football boots
  • Sudden increase in activity (start of sport season, adding on more commitments)
  • High volume of exercise / overdoing activities (lunch time play, rep, club sport…)
  • Poor footwear (lack of cushioning and support)

Severs' Disease Treatments

  • Footwear modifications
  • Activity modification (assessing the load patterns and providing recommendations to reduce injury risk)
  • Strength and conditioning programs
  • Foot orthotics to help offload the painful area and modify lower limb biomechanics
  • Calcaneal apophysitis is considered a self-limiting condition which will go away completely once the heel bone is finished developing with no long-term complications.  
 
However having your child avoid physical activity due to pain can create more concerning problems long-term, and as such we recommend parents allow your child to become pain free quicker, and not have to miss out on the benefits of sport! 
 
Read more about our Sunshine Coast treatment for Sever’s Disease:
Sunshine Coast Custom Orthotics

Custom Orthotics

A custom orthotic supports and aligns your lower limb putting the muscles and joints it in a position of congruence. Elite Foot Care has a state of the art custom orthotics manufacturing lab on the Sunshine Coast. This allows us to have complete control over the manufacturing process, resulting in

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Running and Gate Assessments at Elite Foot Care

Gait and Running Assessments

Walking and running will be assessed with video analysis giving us the most accurate information to evaluate the patients upper body functions through to their lower limbs. The presenting injury/symptom will be assessed upon relevant medical history, conditions, occupational hazards and physical activities. Once a thorough medical screening has been

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Footwear Assessment

Footwear Assessments

Elite Foot Care have access to a broad range of footwear designed for all walks of life at our Woombye and Sippy Downs locations! As part of our podiatry service, our podiatrists are able to provide you with the suitable, recommended footwear options from our own footwear store. Alternatively we

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Foot and Ankle Strapping - Elite Foot Care

Strapping

Foot and ankle strapping is a therapeutic technique used by podiatrists to stabilise affected areas, prevent exacerbation of injuries, and promote healing. By using high-quality, non-elastic, or elastic tape, strapping can provide temporary relief and support for various foot and ankle conditions.

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Footwear Modification - Elite Foot Care

Footwear Modifications

Footwear modifications involve making specific adjustments to shoes to enhance their fit, comfort, functionality, and support. These modifications can address a range of foot and lower limb issues, helping to prevent pain and injury while promoting optimal foot health.

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Exercise Prescription - Elite Foot Care

Exercise Prescription

Exercise prescription using the VALD Performance Assessment system involves tailoring rehabilitation programs based on detailed biomechanical analysis. This approach allows for the design of progressive rehab programs aimed at addressing specific patient needs, optimising recovery, and enhancing overall performance.

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Senior Podiatrist Jarrod McGuinness Discusses Sever's Disease

Jay Lewis Podiatrist - Elite Foot Care
Jarrod McGuinness Podiatrist - Elite Foot Care
Dean Taylor - Elite Foot Care
Daniel Neil - Elite Foot Care
Ajay Mahadev - Elite Foot Care Podiatrist
Josh Taylor - Elite Foot Care Podiatrist
Gabrielle Riach - Elite Foot Care

Our Therapists

Our team of Podiatrists have decades of experience treating all hip, knee, leg, ankle, foot and heel pain as well as a range of skin and nail conditions including ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections and more.

They share a passion for helping the community stay strong and active, helping them achieve their ultimate health outcomes. 

Their experience combined with the best treatment technologies available, allow us to achieve the best outcomes for our community.

Benefits of a personalised treatment plan

Reduced Pain

Using the worlds best treatment technology and methods, we can accelerate your recovery to achieve your ultimate health outcome sooner.

Increased Strength

With a prescribed exercise rehab program, your surrounding muscles will strengthen and take the load off your affected tissue. The result is lasting pain relief.

Become More Active

Working with your Podiatrist to complete your personalised treatment plan, you'll be able to do more of the things you love with friends and family.

How it works

1. Schedule an Appointment

Book online or call one of our friendly reception staff on 07 5328 3588 to find a time that suits you.

2. We Handle the Details

Our experienced Podiatrists will diagnose, create a custom treatment plan and treat in the very first session.

3. Be More Active With Less Pain

Spend more time with your family and friends being active and doing the things you love.

What you'll get...

Experienced Podiatrists

Our Podiatrists have decades of experience treating an array of conditions.

Comprehensive Consultations

Our Podiatrists will leave no stone unturned in finding the root cause of your issue.

Personalised Treatment Plans

Our Podiatrists will create a truly custom treatment plan to achieve your ideal outcomes.

Communication

Our Podiatrists will clearly explain your condition, providing insight into its nature and treatment options.

Best Treatment Technology

We utilise state-of-the-art treatment technologies including: Shockwave Therapy, 3D Laser Scanners, Lunula Fungal Nail Laser to provide our patients with the best possible care. 

On-site Manufacturing

Our on-site orthotics manufacturing lab allows us to do same or next day orthotic dispenses.

Begin your journey to a pain free future.

Woombye Podiatrists

4/40 Wilson Avenue, Woombye, 4559

Sippy Downs Podiatrists

15 Fairfax Street, Sippy Downs, 4556
(level 2 in Fairfax Village building)