Heel Pain in Children
Don't let foot pain stop your child's active life
Activity is extremely important to the health and wellbeing of our children. Physical activity builds strong bones, develops coordination, boosts confidence, and establishes lifelong healthy habits. However, foot pain can quickly derail a child's participation in sports and activities they love. The good news is that most childhood foot pain is treatable, and with proper care, your child can return to their active lifestyle pain-free.
Don't let pain stop them moving. Understanding the unique nature of growing feet and recognizing the signs of common conditions can help you take swift action to keep your child active and healthy.
Understanding growing feet
A child's foot is fundamentally different from an adult's foot. Children have active growth centres, also called growth plates, which open at different times throughout their development. These growth plates are areas of developing cartilage tissue where new bone formation occurs, allowing bones to lengthen as children grow.
When growth centres are open and active growth is occurring, these areas become particularly vulnerable to inflammation, irritation, and pain. The rapid bone growth, combined with increased activity levels, creates a perfect storm for certain foot conditions to develop. Unlike adult bones that are fully formed and stable, growing bones are softer and more susceptible to stress and overuse injuries.
The timing of growth spurts varies between children, but generally occurs most rapidly during early childhood and again during adolescence. During these periods, children may experience temporary coordination issues as their bodies adjust to their changing proportions, potentially increasing their risk of injury or overuse conditions.
Sever's Disease: The most common culprit
What we see most commonly in our practice is an irritation of the growth plate in the heel, medically known as calcaneal apophysitis but more commonly referred to as Sever's Disease. Despite its alarming name, Sever's Disease is not actually a disease but rather an inflammatory condition affecting the heel's growth plate.
Recognizsing the warning signs
Early recognition of foot pain in children is crucial for preventing long-term problems and maintaining their active lifestyle. Many children may not immediately complain of pain, instead showing behavioral changes that indicate discomfort.
Watch for these signs in your child:
- Limping or altered walking pattern
- Walking on toes to avoid heel contact
- Reluctance to participate in usual activities or sports
- Complaints of foot or heel pain, especially after activity
- Stiffness or difficulty getting moving in the morning
- Touching or rubbing their feet frequently
- Decreased performance in sports or activities they usually excel at
Children may also express pain differently than adults. They might say their feet are "tired," "sore," or "hurt a little bit" rather than describing specific pain. Some children become irritable or emotional when dealing with persistent discomfort, especially if it's affecting activities they enjoy.
It's important to take any foot pain complaints seriously, even if they seem minor. Children are naturally resilient and often try to "push through" pain, but this can lead to compensation patterns and potentially more serious injuries.
The importance of early intervention
It is very important to take foot pain in children seriously because if left untreated, it will become a deterrent to them maintaining physical activity. This creates a concerning cycle where reduced activity leads to decreased fitness, muscle weakness, and potentially long-term health consequences.
When children avoid physical activity due to pain, several negative outcomes can occur. They may lose cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and coordination skills they've worked hard to develop. Perhaps more importantly, they may develop a negative association with physical activity that could last into adulthood. The confidence and social connections that come from team sports and group activities may also be lost.
Early intervention prevents these secondary problems from developing. With prompt treatment, most children can continue participating in their favorite activities with minimal interruption. The key is addressing the underlying cause of pain while implementing strategies to prevent recurrence.
Benefits of early treatment:
- Faster resolution of symptoms
- Prevention of compensation injuries
- Maintained fitness and skill levels
- Preserved confidence and enjoyment in activities
- Reduced risk of chronic pain patterns developing
Treatment option for childrens heel pain
With a well-structured treatment plan in place, children can continue to get on with doing what they really enjoy doing. Treatment for childhood foot pain, particularly Sever's Disease, typically involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the immediate symptoms and underlying contributing factors.
Treatment strategies may include:
- Activity modification rather than complete rest
- Ice therapy after activities to reduce inflammation
- Stretching programmes targeting calf muscles and Achilles tendon
- Strengthening exercises for foot and ankle muscles
- Custom orthotic devices to provide support and reduce stress on growth plates
- Footwear assessment and recommendations for appropriate athletic shoes
- Heel padding or cushioning for additional comfort
The goal is not to stop all activity but to modify activities appropriately while treating the underlying condition. Complete rest is rarely necessary and can actually be counterproductive for a child's overall development and wellbeing.
Professional care makes the difference
If your child is showing signs of foot pain, don't wait and hope it will resolve on its own. Early professional assessment can provide peace of mind and prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. A podiatrist can accurately diagnose the condition, rule out more serious problems, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your child's specific needs and activity level.
Still in Pain?
Are you are feeling like you have tried everything but are still in pain?
Do you feel like you have seen every health practitioner you can about your child's heel pain?
We have a track record of diagnosing and successfully treating cases that have previously proven difficult to resolve and we'd love to help your child get back on their feet doing what they love.
Hi there, my 11yo daughter, Emily, has various issues with her feet. Her ankles are painful after sports and she has areas on the sole of her feet that are hardened and painful.
I would love to have her feet assessed so we can plan ahead to prevent long term issues.
We live an hour south of Hamilton in Otorohanga.
Look forward to hearing from you
Thanks,
Christine (Mum)
Ph 021 201 4165