19/05/2026
🦶 Is your child complaining of heel pain after sport?
It could be Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) — one of the most common causes of heel pain in active children aged 8–14 years. 👟⚽🏃♀️
Despite the name, Sever’s disease is not a serious disease and does not cause permanent damage.
It is an irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel, often triggered during growth spurts when children are participating in sports that involve lots of running and jumping.
Common signs of Sever’s disease:
✅ Heel pain during or after sport
✅ Limping
✅ Pain when running or jumping
✅ Tenderness when the heel is squeezed
✅ Morning stiffness
Sports commonly associated with Sever’s disease:
⚽ Soccer
🏀 Basketball
🎾 Tennis
🤸 Gymnastics
🏃 Athletics
The good news 🙌
With the right treatment, most children recover very well and return to sport without long-term problems.
Treatment may include:
✔ Activity modification
✔ Calf stretching and strengthening
✔ Footwear advice
✔ Heel lifts or orthotics when indicated
✔ Gradual return to sport
🚫 Complete rest is rarely necessary.
At Hyperwell, our physiotherapists use evidence-based treatment to help young athletes recover from heel pain and return to sport confidently. 💪
📌 Save this post if your child has heel pain.
📅 Book an assessment if symptoms are limiting sport or everyday activities.
