My child has heel pain could it be plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is caused from an overuse of the soft tissue on the bottom of the foot. Most children do not suffer from plantar fasciitis but rather calcaneal apophysitis or Sever’s disease. Sever’s an inflammation of the growth center of the heel bone, or calcaneus in children. It frequently occurs in boys age 10-12 and girls 9-12 who are active in sports during peak growth spurts. The condition is known as apophysitis, because this area of the heel bone in children is known at the apophysis. Symptoms of calcaneal apophysitis is pain on the bottom and around the edges of the heel bone that is aggravated by activity and relived by rest.
What causes Calcaneal Apophysitis?
- Calcaneal apophysitis is caused by trauma or injury to the growth center or fthe heel bone in physically active children between the ages of 9 to 12.
- Activities such as running, jumping, going barefoot, participating in sports such as basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, etc. will aggravate the condition.
- Flat feet can cause it
- Tightness of the Achilles tendon can cause it
How is calcaneal apophysitis treated?
- Avoid going barefoot and running on hard surfaces
- Wear soft shoes such as athletic shoes
- Topical pain creams
- Limit physical activity that may cause heel pain
- Heel cups or over the counter inserts help
- Compression socks
- Severe cases may require a walking boot
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