‘Severs Disease’ – Manifestations & Management

Abstract

Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever’s Disease) is a common cause of heel pain in growing children. It’s true incidence and etiology in unknown but, recent evidence supports overuse injury as an underlying etiology. It can present as either unilateral or bilateral heel pain in active growing children or adolescents who had a history of new-onset sports activity. Diagnosis mainly relies on a thorough clinical examination with a positive squeeze test being confirmatory. Radiologic imaging may be unnecessary but can help rule out or avoid missing other problematic conditions. Treatment options are mainly conservative and include rest, medications, therapy, or orthosis. Educating parents and coaches is pivotal for the prevention of these self-limiting conditions in young athletes. Evidence suggests a return to sports in most in a few weeks to months after appropriate care.