Heel Pain in Kids: What is Sever’s Disease and How Can We Help?

If your child has been complaining about sore heels — especially after sports, PE, or running around — it might be more than just tired feet. One of the most common causes of heel pain in growing children is something called Sever’s Disease.

It sounds serious, but don’t worry — it’s a treatable condition and very common in active kids. At The Foot and Lower Limb Clinic, we regularly help children get back to moving without pain.

What Is Sever’s Disease?

Sever’s Disease (also called calcaneal apophysitis) is a condition that affects the growth plate in the heel. It usually happens in children aged 8 to 14, especially during growth spurts.

When your child is active — running, jumping, or playing sports — the heel bone can grow faster than the muscles and tendons around it. That extra pulling and pressure on the heel causes pain and inflammation.

Common Signs to Look For

• Heel pain, especially after activity or sport

• Limping or walking on tiptoes

• Swelling or tenderness in the heel

• Stiffness in the foot or ankle

• Pain that improves with rest but returns with activity

You might notice your child hobbling after football or holding their heel after a day at school — especially if they’ve been doing PE or running at playtime.

Who Gets It?

Sever’s is most common in active children who do sports like:

• Football

• Gymnastics

• Netball

• Rugby

• Athletics

But it can also affect kids who are going through a growth spurt, even if they’re not super sporty.

How We Can Help

The good news? Sever’s Disease is completely treatable, and your child doesn’t have to “just live with it.”

At The Foot and Lower Limb Clinic, we offer:

• Full gait and foot posture assessments

• Child-friendly stretches and strengthening exercises

• Custom orthotics (shoe inserts) to reduce pressure on the heel

• Footwear advice to make sure your child’s shoes are helping, not hurting

• Activity guidance — we’ll help you find the right balance between rest and movement

Every treatment plan is tailored to your child, based on their activity level and symptoms.

Let’s Get Them Moving Comfortably Again

We know how much kids love to stay active — and how tough it can be to see them in pain. If your child has ongoing heel pain, don’t wait it out. An early assessment can help them recover faster and avoid long-term issues.

Book a paediatric podiatry appointment today at our Colne or Brighouse clinic. Let’s keep those little feet happy and healthy.