Severs disease is the frequent name for a condition which should be called calcaneal apophysitis. It really should not be known as Severs “disease” because it is not a disease. This is a self limiting disorder of the growth plate in the heel bone of children that always goes away by itself sooner or later without having long term complications. This is a quite frequent condition in kids about ages 10 to 12 years and if you ask a number of kids of that age should they have it or know someone that has had it, then most of them probably will say yes. There is a growth plate behind the heel bone in which growth of that bone takes place at. The achilles tendon connects to this growth plate, therefore its not difficult to see that lots of force is placed on the growing area, especially if the child is overweight or active in sports activity. The condition is a strain of that growing region. These growing regions in the heel bone eventually combine with the rest of the heel bone to form one bone by the early teenage years. After those growing regions combine as part of that normal growth, it is not possible for Severs disease to be a problem when that growing has finished.

Whilst the condition is self-limiting and they'll outgrow this, it is painful ad can cause problems so will need to be treated. The best strategy is to focus on education regarding the condition and the way to deal with activity loads to help keep it in check. It is common to use ice on it after sports activity to help relieve the pain. Cushioned gel heel pads are often helpful and may make it more bearable so they can continue with sport. If there are biomechanical issues, then proper foot supports may be required to correct that. The key aspect of the management is merely handling the loads. Children of that age need to be active and be a part of sport, so this may be a challenge.