How can Physical Therapy help to relieve the symptoms associated with Sever’s Disease?

What is Sever’s Disease ?

Sever’s Disease; also known as calcaneal apophysitis is a usual cause of heel pain in physically active young children. This condition commonly affects the growing adolescents between the age group of 9 to 14 years. Adolescents engaged in the sport activities involving lots of heel movement usually develop this condition.

What do we mean by Sever’s Disease?

Sever’s Disease is a kind of bone injury during which growth plate in the lower back of the heel, where Achilles attaches to or inserts into calcaneous, becomes inflamed or irritated. This condition occurs either due to the overuse of or repetitive micro trauma to the growth plates of calcaneous in the heel. The mismatch between the growth of bones to muscles and tendons can also give rise to this dysfunction. Child suffering from Sever’s Disease may limp while walking or may feel severe pain while jumping, running, hopping or sprinting.

How can Physical Therapy help the patients with Sever’s Disease?

As Sever’s Disease is a type of musculoskeletal deformity or inefficiency, Physical Therapy is the best treatment option to achieve maximum results in a short period of time. Physical Therapists may employ the following Physical Therapy techniques and modalities to relieve the patients of their pain and discomfort:

• As in the case of most of the soft tissue injuries, initial treatment involves rest and application of ice packs.
• Physical Therapist may suggest the children to cease the sports’ activities aggravating pain.
• To support and protect heels, Therapists may suggest to wear shock absorbing heel cups, soft orthotics or shoe inserts.
• Massage and Electrotherapy may be used to relive pain in the initial stage.
• Gentle ankle or foot joint mobilization exercises are prescribed to improve overall efficiency of ankle and foot
• To lengthen and to make calf, ankle and foot muscles functional; deep tissue massage, trigger point release, positional release and myofascial release techniques are adopted.
• Stretches may be prescribed to relax and release the stiffened calf muscles.
• Strengthening and balancing exercises may be suggested to maximize movement.
• Your child’s foot control biomechanics will be assessed and corrected and if necessary, foot stabilization exercises may be performed.
• Exercises may be prescribed to normalize and restore calf and leg muscle control.
• Exercises may be administered to enhance the flexibility, strength and muscle balance in the leg.
• Physical Therapists will educate your child about the proper warm-up techniques to prevent the recurrence of the injury and will also guide him/her about the self-management of Sever’s Disease’ symptoms and flare-ups.

Contact Accessible Physical Therapy Services for the state of art and adequate treatment of any of your musculoskeletal injuries and discomfort. Our competent and certified physical therapists use patient-proven techniques and create personalized treatment plans to get you back to your activities as sporty and vigorous as before.