Apophyseitis (Sever's Injury): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Apofysit är en inflammation i tillväxtzonen i hälbenet

Heel apophysitis, also known as Sever's disease, is a common cause of heel pain in growing children and adolescents. This article reviews the most common symptoms, causes, and treatment options for this condition.

What is Sever's disease? (Apophysitis of the heel)

Apophysitis of the heel, also known as Sever's disease or Sever's lesion, is a common cause of heel pain in growing children and adolescents. It is an inflammation of the growth plate of the heel bone (calcaneus) that often affects active children during growth spurts.

The medical name is calcaneus apophysitis and is classified according to ICD-10 as M92.8.

Symptoms of Sever's disease

Common symptoms include:

  • Heel pain, especially after physical activity
  • Tenderness when pressure is applied to the back of the heel
  • Swelling around the heel
  • Pain when walking on tiptoe or limping
  • Worsened pain when running or jumping

Many children describe it as feeling like pressure or a squeezing sensation in the heel. The pain is often worse with activity and better with rest.

Causes and risk factors behind Apophysitis (Severe's disease)

Several factors can contribute to the development of Sever's injury:

  • Rapid growth during puberty
  • Overload from intense physical activity
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Incorrect foot position or biomechanics
  • Hard or unsuitable shoes

Foot apophysitis and hip apophysitis are similar conditions that affect other parts of the body, but heel apophysitis is the most common form in children. This overuse injury occurs when the tendon that attaches to the heel bone pulls on the growth plate, causing inflammation. People with pronation of the foot may be at extra risk, as the biomechanics of the foot can put additional strain on the heel area.

Severs harm children

Sever's disease in children most often affects active children between the ages of 8 and 14, especially in sports such as soccer, gymnastics, and running.

Treatment aims to reduce pain, relieve pressure on the heel, and speed up healing without requiring the child to stop all activities. Common treatment methods include:

  • Use of heel cups or shoe inserts for shock absorption
  • Adjusting activity level and avoiding pain-inducing exercises
  • Stretching the calf muscles to reduce the pull on the Achilles tendon
  • Shoes with good support and cushioning. In more severe cases, temporary rest and physical therapy may be needed. Most children will fully recover once growth is complete.

Sever's injury treatment

Diagnosmetod Behandlingsalternativ Fördelar med TåKomforten™
Fysisk undersökning Anpassade skor och inlägg Avancerad justeringsbehandling
Röntgen Smärtlindrande läkemedel Gradvis lindring av inflammation
Gånganalys Fysioterapi och övningar Icke-invasivt alternativ
MRI vid behov Kirurgi i svåra fall Kan användas dagligen för kontinuerlig behandling
Apofysit behandling fokuserar på att minska smärtan och inflammationen samt att avlasta det drabbade området. Användning av skoinlägg eller hälkoppar är en central del av behandlingen, tillsammans med modifiering av aktivitetsnivån. Det är dock sällan nödvändigt att helt sluta med sport – det handlar snarare om att anpassa belastningen.

Aids in the treatment of Sever's disease

Heel cups from Komforten offer several benefits for those with Sever's injury:

  • Provides extra shock absorption and relief for the heel
  • Helps reduce pressure on the inflamed area
  • Can be used in different types of shoes for consistent support
  • Improves comfort during daily activities and sports
  • Made of high-quality material for optimal shock absorption

When the heel is relieved with heel cups, the traction on the inflamed growth zone is reduced, which provides better conditions for healing. Many children can continue with their activities when using heel cups, and shock absorption can also be helpful for other foot problems such as bunions .

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Conclusion

Apophysitis (Severe's disease) is a common cause of heel pain in growing children and adolescents, but with proper treatment and support, most people can return to normal activity without long-term problems. The use of heel cups, along with activity modification and stretching, can effectively relieve symptoms and support the healing process. It is important to consult a doctor or podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and individualized treatment plan, especially if other foot-related conditions such as nerve damage in the foot are suspected.

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