Severs disease – overlooked and painful but treatable

In 2017 physiotherapist Per Øllgaard systematically collected data on the condition of children showing symptoms of Severs disease.

Results
– The children were affected with heel pain and inactivity for more than 10 months on average
– Nearly 80% of the children dropped out of sport fully or partially
– More than 90% of children had no effect from conventional treatment (heel cup, rest, exercises, sports tape, and other orthotics)

Information and custom-made insoles
Information about the physiology and a custom-made insole (to suspend the heel and relieve the pressure on the heel bone), helped most of the children in this study to continue their sport and avoid ceasing their activities.

Perspectives
Sever’s disease will not return once a child is fully grown and the growth plate in the heel has matured into solid bone.

From a health perspective, however, children with Severs disease mustn’t be prevented from being active during these formative years, since inactivity can have negative psychological and physical consequences for these children – potentially leading to inactivity, demotivation, and drop-out from sports.

Methods
492 children with heel pain in the growth plate area were examined and diagnosed. 469 were included in the study and received the intervention.

Baseline information was collected by the physiotherapist and information was given on the cause of the condition, treatment, and prospects. As a follow-up, the parents were asked to provide their qualitative assessment of the effect of the intervention – three weeks after it had been given.