So our daughter has been complaining on and off about a pain in her right heel. It comes and goes, so we didn't give it too much thought, until it persisted for a week or so. I took her to her primary physician who said "it is probably a stone bruise, I wouldn't worry too much" ok....so I thought it will go away...not!
She is active in gymnastics (cheer) and it seems to get worse when she is on the mats or when she breaks into a spontaneous cartwheel, round off, back handspring down our foyer hallway, which she is prone to doing. I finally decided it was time to take her to a podiatrist and as the primary physician obviously didn't have a clue what was really wrong.
So after a 45 minute wait, three sets of x-rays and brief examination he says "she has calcaneal apophysitis" Ok Doc....in normal language that is what? "Sever's Disease". I think to myself and possibly out loud..."That doesn't sound good, I think I like the other name better."
As it turns out it is really not a "disease" at all, so I am not sure why they insist on calling it one. Simply put, it is an inflammation of the growth center on the heel bone and as it turns out is quite common in children ages 9 to 14...hmmm! In addition, she does have an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which can't feel too good I am guessing!
So, we walked away with two sheets of stretching she must do before and after gym and cheer. Some inflammatory meds to take before and after cheer, heel pads and of course the "coolest" ankle brace our daughter had ever seen! She must have thought it was the "bomb" as she insisted on wearing it out of the office to "support" her ever so weak heel and ankle.
So, the good news is it is pretty self limiting and even the worst cases of this Sever's Disease will spontaneously resolve when the growth plate closes with maturity of the foot! Until then, I guess I will be color coordinating her outfits with her snazzy new brace!
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