Sports Injuries – Sever’s Disease in Kids | Dr Chirag Patel

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• Severs disease is called Calcaneal Apophysitis
  in medical terminology, an inflammation of the
  growing bone in the heel. The children in the age
  group of 9 14 are most affected with the
  disease because the heel bone is not completely
  developed in them. Similar pain is sensed by
  adults but the cause would be different, which
  happens due to change in internal structure. It
  mostly occurs when there is a repeated stress on
  the heel and only resolves when the bone stopped
  growing.
• Heel looks normal because no notice of swelling
  or redness is appeared, it can only be identified
  by a physician. Severs disease is not actually a
  disease but a serious heel injury, this type of
  growing pains is like an old wives tale.
  Fortunately, there are no long-term complications
  related to Severs disease, however, call to
  the nearest sports injury clinic for better
  understanding.

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• Why does it hurt children mostly?
• The foot is one of the first body parts to grow
  fully in humans. This usually occurs in early
  puberty stage because bones grow fast than
  muscles and tendons during this time. Hence,
  muscles and tendons become tight and bones less
  flexible.
• Symptoms
• Heel pain is the most prominent symptom. All heel
  pains are not Severs, medicos diagnose it with a
  squeeze test. X-rays and ultrasounds may not be
  accurate and confirm the disease most of the
  times.
• It can be seen in more children who are active or
  mildly active in sports. If a child started in
  involving a new sport or activity and suffers
  from foot pain, it is confirmed that he/she is
  the victim of heel injury.
• Tenderness or tightness in the back of the heel.
• It gets worse after jumping or running and feels
  better after rest.
• Trouble walking.

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• How can it be treated?
• As already mentioned, this is not a disease but
  an injury and it happens at one time or other in
  a childhood. But there are ways to prevent it by
  maintaining good flexibility in the child growth.
• Strengthen the muscles by Hamstring and calf
  muscles exercises helps the child to lower the
  risk of injury. The stretches should be done for
  20 seconds for 2-3 times in a day.
• Keep the child away from wearing stiff, hard sole
  shoes. Make them a habit of good quality shoes
  with light sole, shock absorbent and firm
  support.

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• Apply ice of the heel bone for 20 minutes for 3
  times in a day. Also try rolling the foot on an
  ice can or bottle for better relief.
• Severs disease can also be caused by
  over-weight, so if the victim is obsessed help
  her/him to reduce extra kilos.
• Take the doctor recommended over-the-counter pain
  relievers.
• One of the best treatment is to rest and avoid
  running in hard surfaces. If your child suffers
  with severe pain, consult specialist in joint
  replacement and sports injury surgery.
• The child can go back to the playing area only
  after heal pain is cured completely, that might
  take from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on the
  severity of the complaint.

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