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Severs (Calcaneal Apophysitis)

What is the Severs of the foot?

Severs “disease” is a growth plate related disorder of the heel bone.

 

 

How is it commonly injured?

  • Severs usually occurs in boys aged 10-14 and girls a little younger at 8-13. This is when the heel bone is maturing into its adult form - the calcaneus.

  • The achilles tendon attaches right into this severs plate and active children can occasionally develop this painful heel disorder.

  • Active children are the most common to get severs.

 

 

Classification and Signs and Symptoms of this injury

Severs symptoms are:

  • Pain after activity 

  • Pain after activity periods eg: at half time or full time in sport games

  • Pain on palpation of the severs plate

  • The child will “run funny” due to stiffness and pain in the heel area

  • No swelling is noted

  • No bruising is noted

 

 

Current management techniques

  • Rest Ice, Compression, Elevation: all these techniques help to control the swelling and pain.

  • Maintenance of strength losses via specific foot exercises

  • Maintenance of range of motion loss via specific foot exercises

  • Massage of he calf area can help reduce the tension on the area

  • Orthotics can help reduce the tension on the achilles and severs plate

Global Rehabilitation Network

  • We provide a complete online program of 12 consecutive weeks of instructions on how to conservatively manage this injury

  • We provide a global network of therapists that can chat remotely via our Telehealth services to guide you through the process week by week for minimal cost.

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