Children's Heel Pain (Sever's Disease)
Expert Assessment & Treatment for Heel Pain in Active Children
Helping Your Child Stay Active With Comfort & Confidence
If your child has started complaining of heel pain after football, dance, gymnastics or simply walking to school, they're not alone.
Heel pain is one of the most common reasons children visit our clinic, particularly during periods of rapid growth. Many parents notice their child limping after sport, avoiding activities they once enjoyed or complaining of sore heels at the end of the day.
One of the most common causes is Sever's Disease, a temporary growth-related condition that affects the heel.
At Callen Olive, we provide child-friendly assessments to identify the cause of your child's symptoms, reduce pain and help them return to the activities they love as safely and quickly as possible.
At A Glance
Your child may benefit from an assessment if they have:
- Heel pain during or after sport
- Limping after activity
- Pain at the back or underside of the heel
- Pain when running or jumping
- Tight calf muscles
- Symptoms in one or both heels
- Pain affecting football, dance or gymnastics
- Recurrent heel pain during growth
What Is Sever's Disease?
Despite its name, Sever's Disease isn't actually a disease.
It is a common growth-related condition caused by irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel bone.
During periods of rapid growth, bones often grow faster than the muscles and tendons attached to them. This can increase tension through the Achilles tendon, placing extra stress on the heel growth plate and causing pain.
The condition is temporary and usually settles once the growth plate has matured.
Who Is Most Commonly Affected?
Sever's Disease most commonly affects active children between 8 and 14 years of age.
It is particularly common in children who play:
- Football
- Rugby
- Athletics
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Netball
Symptoms often become more noticeable during growth spurts or periods of increased sporting activity.
Signs & Symptoms
Children with Sever's Disease commonly experience:
- Pain at the back or underside of the heel
- Tenderness when the heel is squeezed
- Pain during or after sport
- Limping
- Tight calf muscles
- Pain in one or both heels
- Symptoms that improve with rest
- Recurring pain after activity
Many children are comfortable first thing in the morning but develop increasing discomfort as the day progresses.
Why Does Heel Pain Develop?
Several factors often contribute.
These include:
- Rapid growth
- Increased sporting activity
- Tight calf muscles
- Flat feet
- Foot posture
- Walking and running mechanics
- Increased training loads
- Inappropriate footwear
Understanding which of these factors are affecting your child helps us create the most appropriate treatment plan.
Could It Be Something Else?
Although Sever's Disease is the most common cause of heel pain in growing children, it's not the only one.
Other conditions can sometimes cause similar symptoms, including:
- Heel bruising
- Stress injuries
- Achilles tendon problems
- Flat feet
- Sports injuries
A thorough assessment helps determine the true cause of your child's pain and whether any further investigations are required.
Your Child's Assessment
Every assessment begins by understanding your child's symptoms, activity levels and sporting commitments.
We'll discuss:
- When the pain started
- Sporting activities
- Growth and development
- Previous injuries
- Footwear
- Your concerns as a parent
We'll then assess:
- Foot posture
- Lower limb alignment
- Joint mobility
- Muscle flexibility
- Walking pattern
- Running mechanics
- Areas of tenderness
Where appropriate, we also use OptoGait Gait Analysis to gain a detailed understanding of how your child moves and identify factors contributing to excessive strain on the heel.
Your Child's Personalised Treatment Plan
Treatment focuses on reducing stress through the growth plate while helping children remain as active as possible.
Recommendations may include:
- Activity modification
- Stretching exercises
- Calf rehabilitation
- Footwear advice
- Ice therapy
- Load management
- Custom Foot Orthotics where clinically appropriate
Every treatment plan is tailored to your child's symptoms, age and sporting activities.
Can My Child Continue Playing Sport?
In many cases, yes.
Complete rest isn't always necessary.
Instead, we aim to carefully manage activity levels, reduce excessive loading and help children continue participating in the sports they enjoy whenever it's appropriate to do so.
Our goal is to keep children moving safely whilst supporting recovery.
When Should You Seek Professional Advice?
We recommend arranging an assessment if your child:
- Has heel pain lasting more than two weeks
- Starts limping
- Avoids sport because of pain
- Has symptoms that are becoming worse
- Experiences recurring heel pain after activity
- Has pain affecting everyday walking
Early assessment often helps children return to activity more comfortably and reduces the risk of prolonged symptoms.
Pricing
Every child is different, which is why every assessment is tailored to their individual needs.
Following your appointment, your podiatrist will explain their findings and discuss any treatment recommendations.
Children's New Patient Biomechanics Assessment – £180
Children's New Patient Biomechanics Assessment with Principal Podiatrist – £225
If you're unsure which appointment is most appropriate, our Patient Care Team will be happy to help.
Call us on 0333 305 8347.
Why Patients Choose Callen Olive
Your feet deserve more than treatment.
At Callen Olive, we believe exceptional podiatry is about far more than relieving pain.
It's about understanding how your feet affect your comfort, confidence and the way you move through life.
Every person who walks through our doors has different goals, which is why every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and ambitions.
Because no two people — or feet — are the same.
Expert Care. Personally Delivered.
We combine specialist clinical expertise, advanced technology and genuinely personalised care to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
From your first appointment, you'll understand what's causing your symptoms, the treatment options available and how we'll support you every step of the way.
Why Patients Trust Callen Olive
- Specialist podiatry team
- Personalised treatment plans
- Advanced technology
- Evidence-based care
- Award-winning patient experience
- Trusted by thousands of patients every year
More Than A Podiatry Appointment
Exceptional care isn't just about clinical expertise.
It's about feeling listened to, understood and supported from the moment you arrive until long after your treatment has finished.
Because that's what great care should feel like.
We Care.
It's more than our promise.
It's how we listen, how we explain, how we treat and how we support every patient who places their trust in us.
Because helping you move with comfort, confidence and ease is why Callen Olive exists.
Healthy Feet. Healthy Body. Healthy Mind.
Related Conditions
- Growing Pains
- Flat Feet in Children
- Children's Knee Pain
- Hypermobility
- Sports Injuries
Related Treatments
- Children's Foot Health Assessment
- Biomechanical Assessment
- OptoGait Gait Analysis
- Custom Foot Orthotics
- Sports Podiatry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sever's Disease?
Sever's Disease is a common growth-related condition caused by irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel. Despite its name, it isn't actually a disease.
What age does Sever's Disease affect?
It most commonly affects active children between the ages of 8 and 14, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Can my child still play sport?
Usually, yes. Complete rest isn't always necessary. Your podiatrist will advise how activity can be modified to support recovery while helping your child remain active.
Do flat feet cause Sever's Disease?
Flat feet don't directly cause Sever's Disease, but foot posture and biomechanics can increase the stress placed on the heel growth plate in some children.
Will my child need orthotics?
Not necessarily. Custom Foot Orthotics are only recommended when a thorough assessment suggests they are likely to improve comfort, reduce heel loading and support recovery.
How long does Sever's Disease last?
Symptoms vary from child to child. Many improve over several weeks or months with the right management, although symptoms can come and go during periods of growth.
Will my child grow out of it?
Yes. Sever's Disease is a temporary condition that resolves once the heel growth plate has matured. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and helping children stay active while this happens.
Helping Your Child Stay Active
Heel pain shouldn't stop your child enjoying sport, exercise or simply being a child.
Our experienced podiatrists provide child-friendly assessments designed to identify the cause of your child's heel pain, support recovery and help them return to the activities they love with comfort and confidence.
Book your child's heel pain assessment today.
