Sever’s Disease/Children’s Heel Pain

With the fall sports season approaching, many kiddos are going through conditioning or finishing up their summer seasons and can notice heel pain.  There are several causes of heel pain in young athletes with the most common being Sever’s Disease or calcaneal apophysitis.

Inflammation of the growth plate of the heel bone can cause discomfort to the heel, mild swelling and difficulty walking.  The condition usually presents itself between the ages of 8 and 14 with a higher incidence in boys than girls. Sever’s Disease is being diagnosed more frequently in girls due to their participating in an increased amount of sports such as soccer, basketball and softball.

There are many factors that can cause an athlete to have calcaneal inflammation. The majority of patients will present with a tight heel cord or a flatfoot.  Treatment should focus helping the biomechanical changes the child is undergoing during maturity.

Rest and anti-inflammatories often help with pain.  Daily icing to the affected heel can help with the initial phase of treatment.   Once the initial inflammation is addressed, treatment should focus on increasing the strength and improving the biomechanical factors that have contributed to the calcaneal inflammation.  Often children respond well to heel lifts in their shoes to offload the Achilles tendon and/or orthotics to control the excess motion of the foot.

If you child has heel pain while participating in sports, do not hesitate to contact us at Worthington Foot & Ankle.  We can help get your child back to the field.

Here’s some information for all of you summer runners out there about Shin Splints

Shin Splints

Many people experience pain to their shins following a run or light jog.  This pain can be called by shin splints caused by irritated and swollen muscles. This irritation can be due to overuse and incorrect biomechanics.   The pain associated with shin splints, also known as tibial stress syndrome, occurs just behind the long shin bone.  Too much force can cause inflammation along the area.

Symptoms can include tenderness or pain along the inside of the lower leg as well as swelling to the lower leg.  Treatment for shin splints varies but can include: Rest, ice, over the counter anti-inflammatories, proper shoe gear as well as custom orthotics.  If you have chronic shin pain, or have developed pain to your shins following exercise, do not hesitate to contact us at Worthington Foot & Ankle.

We will be starting a new blog series.  Check our facebook page and this news feed for some general podiatry information.  Feel free to put in your requests and questions!

 

Minimalist Running

Many runners have returned to “barefoot running” as they feel this is the most beneficial and natural way to run.  Many runners believe, that running on their balls of their feet is best as this is the natural shock absorber.  Traditionally, running shoes provide extra cushion to the heels to allow for shock absorption but this disperses forces to the legs and knees.  Many barefoot runners believe the best way to learn good running, is to allow your feet to feel the ground as you are running, and this is done with minimal support.

Research has shown, that by running barefoot, you allow more of your foot to contact the ground.  You are no longer heel striking, but utilizing your entire foot.  You actually take more strides, causing a more smooth running style.

If you feel you would be better adjusted to running in the barefoot style, do so gradually.  Do not attempt your typical running mileage the first time.  If you have further questions regarding running barefoot, or exercise in general, please contact us at Indiana Podiatry Group.  We would be happy to discuss proper footcare for running and exercising.