What Is Sever's Disease?

Sever’s disease, despite how serious it might sound at first, isn’t actually a disease in the traditional sense. It’s more of a temporary condition, a type of growth-related heel pain that tends to affect children, particularly those who are going through a growth spurt.

You might hear it called calcaneal apophysitis if you’re looking through more formal medical articles, but honestly, most parents and even doctors just stick to "Sever’s disease" because, well, it’s simpler.

At its core, Sever’s disease happens when the growth plate at the back of the heel – the part of the bone called the calcaneus – becomes inflamed. Children’s bones grow faster than their muscles and tendons can keep up with sometimes, which creates tension and pressure. This extra strain pulls at the growth plate, leading to pain and swelling.

It usually pops up in kids aged 8 to 14. Boys tend to experience it slightly more often than girls, although that’s not a strict rule. Probably because boys generally have a slightly longer window of rapid growth, but again, it’s not absolute.

Some quick points that summarise Sever’s disease:

• It’s caused by repetitive stress to the heel.
• It typically affects active children during periods of rapid growth.
• It's temporary and doesn’t cause long-term problems in the vast majority of cases.
• Rest, ice, and stretching can help manage symptoms.

One thing worth mentioning – and it’s something many parents aren’t prepared for – is that Sever’s disease can come and go. Your child might seem fine one week and then start limping the next, without any obvious injury. It’s a frustrating cycle, both for them and for you, but it’s also, strangely enough, part of the normal healing process.

Parents often worry they’ve missed a fracture or something serious, but it’s almost never that dramatic. An X-ray usually won’t show Sever’s disease directly either. Doctors often diagnose it based on symptoms and a physical examination rather than extensive imaging. Which might feel a bit unsatisfying if you like clear answers, but it's the usual way.

 

What Causes Sever's Disease?

You might be wondering why exactly Sever’s disease happens in the first place. And honestly, it’s a fair question because the human body, particularly when it's growing, is full of strange little surprises.

The heel bone (the calcaneus) is one of the first bones in the body to reach full size. It grows rapidly, and during that period, the Achilles tendon – the thick band connecting your calf muscles to your heel – can become overly tight. When a child is particularly active, say playing football, gymnastics, or running around every playground in sight, this tightness pulls on the tender growth plate at the back of the heel.

Some specific risk factors include:

• Sports involving running and jumping, like football, basketball, and athletics.
• Rapid growth spurts, which can make muscles and tendons lag behind bone development.
• Poor footwear choices, especially shoes that don’t support the heel properly.
• Flat feet or high arches, which can change the way pressure is distributed through the feet.

But here’s the thing: not every active child gets Sever’s disease. And not every child with tight tendons has a problem. Some kids seem to sail through growth spurts without a single complaint, while others end up needing regular ice packs and rests from sports. Genetics might play a role, and so might biomechanics — the way a person naturally moves.

And while you can encourage stretching, good footwear, and balanced activity, there’s no foolproof prevention method. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, Sever’s disease just happens. It's one of those things that’s part and parcel of growing up for some kids.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Sever's Disease

Spotting Sever’s disease early can make a huge difference, not because it’s dangerous, but because managing it early usually means less pain and quicker recovery.

The hallmark symptom is pain in the heel, typically at the back or the bottom that gets worse with activity. Children might limp, walk on their toes, or even refuse to play sports they usually love.

Other signs include:

• Swelling or redness around the heel.
• Tenderness when the sides of the heel are squeezed.
• Stiffness or discomfort first thing in the morning.
• Pain worsening with running, jumping, or even long periods of standing.

What makes Sever’s disease a bit tricky is that it isn’t always consistent. Some days are worse than others. Kids might not mention pain straight away either they might just seem more tired or frustrated after playing, or say their "foot feels weird" rather than clearly saying it hurts.

In severe cases, a child might avoid putting any weight on the heel altogether, but that's less common unless things have been building up for a while.

One thing worth mentioning: while Sever’s disease is by far the most common cause of heel pain in growing kids, it's not the only one. If symptoms seem unusual say, the pain happens at rest, at night, or is accompanied by fever or swelling in other joints it’s definitely worth seeing a doctor to rule out anything more serious.

 

Connection with Osgood Schlatter Disease

It might surprise you to hear that Sever’s disease and another condition called Osgood-Schlatter disease are actually quite closely related. They’re like distant cousins in the world of childhood orthopaedic issues.

Both conditions:

• Happen during periods of rapid growth.
• Involve inflammation at a growth plate where tendons attach to bone.
• Are triggered or worsened by physical activity.
• Are temporary and usually resolve once growth slows down.

Where Sever’s disease affects the heel, Osgood-Schlatter disease affects the knee, specifically, the bony bump just below the kneecap (the tibial tuberosity). Like Sever’s, it’s often found in sporty kids, especially those involved in running, jumping, or kicking sports.

Some children, particularly those who are very active or hitting a big growth spurt, can actually have both conditions at the same time. It sounds rough and honestly, it can be but both conditions are manageable with the right care.

It’s worth noting a few subtle differences too:

• Pain location: Sever’s is in the heel; Osgood-Schlatter is just under the knee.
• Movement pain: Sever’s tends to hurt with standing or running; Osgood-Schlatter flares up especially with kneeling, squatting, or climbing stairs.
• Visible changes: Osgood-Schlatter often causes a noticeable bump below the knee, whereas Sever’s usually doesn’t cause any obvious lumps or bumps.

In both cases, rest, stretching, good footwear (or good kneepads, in the case of Osgood-Schlatter), and sometimes physiotherapy make all the difference.

One thing that’s really important and perhaps easy to overlook when you’re dealing with a frustrated child who just wants to get back on the football field is patience. Rushing recovery can prolong the problem. And honestly, kids do heal. It just might not happen on the timetable anyone would prefer.

 

How to Treat Sever's Disease

The good news is that Sever’s disease usually responds really well to simple, practical treatments, no surgery, no scary interventions. It’s mainly about managing symptoms, easing the pressure on the heel, and letting the body catch up with itself during the growth spurt phase.

Here’s what typically helps:

• Rest and activity modification: Cutting down high-impact activities like running, football, or jumping is absolutely crucial. It’s not about complete bedrest, low-impact activities like swimming or gentle cycling are often fine and even encouraged.
• Ice therapy: Applying an ice pack to the heel for around 15–20 minutes after exercise can make a real difference in controlling inflammation and easing pain.
• Supportive footwear: Shoes that cushion the heel properly and support the arch are essential. Sometimes, heel cups or orthotic inserts can be really helpful in distributing pressure more evenly.
• Stretching and strengthening: Regular, gentle stretches targeting the Achilles tendon and calf muscles help reduce the pulling forces on the heel. It’s simple, but it’s often overlooked when kids just want to "get on with it."
• Pain relief: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen, can be used to manage flare-ups. But it’s always worth checking with a GP, especially for younger children.

Now, there’s something else worth mentioning and it’s something more and more parents are turning to: Oscon Tablets, available from osgoodschlatter.co.uk. Although Oscon was originally developed to help with Osgood-Schlatter disease, it’s also shown to significantly ease the pain associated with Sever’s disease.

Oscon contains selenium and other nutrients designed to support healing and reduce inflammation naturally. It’s available in two main options:

• 30-day treatment: Ideal if you’re trying it out for the first time.

• 90-day treatment: A better option if symptoms are persistent or you want a longer course with savings built in.

Some parents report seeing a noticeable difference within just a couple of weeks, less pain, more mobility, and generally happier kids who can ease back into activities without constant flare-ups. Of course, every child’s body is different, and while supplements can be incredibly helpful, they usually work best alongside the basics: good shoes, stretching, and sensible rest.

Honestly, recovery from Sever’s disease is rarely a straight line. There will be days when it seems like everything’s getting better, and then suddenly, after one slightly-too-competitive PE lesson, the limp returns. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It’s just the nature of the healing process.

And here’s perhaps the most reassuring thing: once the heel’s growth plate finishes maturing (usually around ages 14–15), the chances of Sever’s disease returning are practically zero. In other words, it’s a rough patch, but it’s a temporary one.