Severs Disease
Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain in Children) Support in Waterford
Child Complaining of Heel Pain After Sport? Step Right Can Help
Sever’s disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain in children, especially active kids who play sports like football, GAA, rugby, athletics, or dance.
It often shows up during growth spurts and can cause pain at the back or underside of the heel — usually worse after running and jumping.
At Step Right Waterford, we help parents understand what’s happening, reduce discomfort, and support your child’s feet so they can stay active more comfortably.
👉 Book an appointment today at Step Right Waterford.
What is Sever’s Disease?
Sever’s disease (also called calcaneal apophysitis) is irritation of the growth plate in the heel bone.
It is not an infection and not a “disease” in the usual sense — it’s a common growth-related condition caused by repeated pulling and impact at the heel during activity.
It usually affects children aged roughly 8 to 14, especially during growth spurts.
Common Symptoms of Sever’s Disease
Your child may experience:
- Heel pain during or after sport
- Pain at the back or underside of the heel
- Limping after activity
- Pain that improves with rest
- Soreness when the heel is squeezed
- Tight calves or Achilles discomfort
It may affect one heel or both.
What Causes Sever’s Disease?
Sever’s disease is usually caused by a mix of growth and overload.
Common contributors include:
- Growth spurts (bones growing faster than muscles/tendons adapt)
- Running and jumping sports
- Tight calf muscles and Achilles tendon
- Hard playing surfaces
- Poor footwear support or worn-out trainers
- Flat feet or high arches affecting heel loading
The good news is: it’s very common and usually settles well with the right approach.
How Step Right Waterford Helps
Foot & Gait Assessment (Child-Friendly & Practical)
At Step Right Waterford, we assess how your child’s feet are loading and moving during walking. This helps us identify:
- Pressure points through the heel
- Foot posture and arch type
- Footwear support issues
- Whether extra strain is going through the heel and Achilles
Support Options to Reduce Heel Pain
Depending on your child’s needs, we may recommend:
- Footwear advice for better cushioning and stability
- Support recommendations to reduce heel strain
- Practical guidance to manage activity levels during flare-ups
Our goal is to help reduce pain while keeping your child moving safely and comfortably.
When Should You Get Heel Pain Checked?
We recommend booking in if:
- Heel pain is affecting sport or PE
- Your child is limping or avoiding activity
- Pain is lasting more than 1–2 weeks
- Pain is getting worse over time
- You’re unsure if it’s Sever’s disease or something else
Sever’s Disease Support in Waterford
Step Right Waterford helps children and teens manage heel pain with expert assessment, practical advice, and the right support.
👉 Book an appointment today at Step Right Waterford.
FAQ: Sever’s Disease
Is Sever’s disease serious?
It can be painful, but it’s usually not serious and often improves well with the right support and management.
How long does Sever’s disease last?
It varies, but many children improve with the right footwear support and reduced overload during flare-ups.
Can my child keep playing sport?
Often yes, but activity may need to be adjusted depending on pain levels. We’ll guide you on what’s best.
