Although winter break from school is almost here for students, active kids don’t usually stop being active on break. If anything, the time off gives them more hours to enjoy running around with friends. You want your children’s feet to stay healthy so they can continue playing. No one wants painful Sever’s disease to get in the way of what your child loves to do. Fortunately, you can prevent this condition with good children’s foot care.

Sever’s disease is a common overuse injury for growing children’s feet. Repeated hard impacts and pressure on the back of the heel from a tight Achilles tendon inflame the growth plate in your child’s heel bone. This leads to pain when your son or daughter walks or runs. The discomfort can make it very unpleasant and difficult for your child to continue participating in sports and other activities.

Rather than suffer through this discomfort, it’s much better for your son or daughter to prevent the issue before it even develops. There are a few things you can do to help your children’s feet avoid this issue altogether:

Stretch – A tight calf muscle or Achilles tendon plays a significant role in heel pain for children. Stretching helps keep these tissues loose and reduces the strain on your heel. Try the heel drop, wall stretch, and towel pull to lengthen those muscles and tendons. Wear the Right Shoes – Solid shoes with a shock-absorbing heel and rear-foot support are important as well. This reduces the pressure and strain on the back of the foot. Use Orthotics – Sometimes biomechanical issues need more than shoes to accommodate them. Orthotics fit into your child’s shoes and adds padding and support.

Since young athletes between ages 8-13 are most at risk, paying close attention to these things during that crucial age is particularly important. You don’t have to watch your child limp around in pain. Instead, help him or her prevent Sever’s disease before it even starts. If your child already has heel pain, or you’re concerned about other children’s foot care issues, contact Dr. Darren Silvester at Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic. You can reach our Pleasanton, TX, office by calling (830) 569-3338 or by using the website.