Sever's disease is a condition that is characterized by an injury to the cartilage between the two parts of the heel, causing pain and difficulty walking. This division of the heel bone is present in children between 8 and 16 years old, especially in those who exercise like olympic gymnastics or dancers who make many jumps with repetitive landing.
Although the pain is also in the heel, it is more frequent on the back of the foot than on the bottom.
What symptoms
The most frequent complaint is pain along the edge of the heel, which causes children to start supporting the body weight more on the side of the foot. In addition, swelling and a slight increase in temperature may also occur.
To identify Sever's disease, you should go to the orthopedist, who can perform a physical examination, x-ray and ultrasound.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for Sever's disease, which often appears in adolescents who play sports, is done only to decrease inflammation and relieve pain and discomfort.
Thus, the pediatrician may recommend some precautions such as:
- Rest and decrease the frequency of high impact sports activities; Place cold compresses or ice on the heel for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 times a day or after physical activity; Use special insoles that support the heel; Do frequent stretching of the foot, pulling the fingers up, for example; avoid walking barefoot, even at home.
In addition, when the pain does not improve only with this care, the doctor may prescribe the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, for a week, to obtain a more effective result.
In almost all cases, it is still advisable to have physiotherapy sessions to speed up recovery and allow you to return to physical activities sooner.
Physiotherapy treatment must be adapted to each child and their level of pain, using exercises that strengthen the flexibility and strength of the legs and feet, in order to maintain the muscles developed for daily activities and for returning to sports activities.
In addition, in physical therapy it is also possible to learn positioning techniques to walk and do daily activities without putting excessive pressure on the heel, reducing pain. Massages can also be used, as they improve blood circulation to the site, avoiding congestion and reducing the inflammation that causes pain and discomfort.
Signs of improvement
The signs of improvement usually appear after the first week of treatment and include a reduction in pain and local swelling, allowing almost all activities to be performed. However, it is important to avoid high impact activities. as they can hinder recovery.
The complete disappearance of symptoms can take between a few weeks to a few months and usually depends on the degree and speed of growth of the child.
Signs of worsening
The first signs of Sever's disease appear with the beginning of adolescence and may worsen during growth if treatment is not done, preventing simple activities such as walking or moving the foot, for example.
See what signs can indicate the appearance of this problem in the child.
