{"id":126184,"date":"2018-03-26T04:13:21","date_gmt":"2018-03-26T11:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heelthatpain.com\/?p=126184"},"modified":"2020-06-29T06:57:07","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T13:57:07","slug":"heel-pain-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heelthatpain.com\/heel-pain-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Heel Pain in Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"HeelWhile we usually associate foot and heel pain with getting older, children can suffer from heel pain too.<\/p>\n

And prompt, effective treatment is more important than ever for a growing, active child.<\/p>\n

However, unlike adults, children may not communicate their symptoms in a way that leads you to quickly identify the problem and begin treatment.<\/p>\n

Being aware of the common causes of heel pain in children, how those conditions may manifest themselves, effective treatments, and signs you should visit a doctor are very important for keeping your child healthy and active.<\/p>\n

Common Causes of Heel Pain in Children<\/h2>\n

While the list below isn\u2019t exhaustive, the following are the most common causes of heel pain in children:<\/p>\n

Severs Disease<\/h3>\n

Severs Disease<\/a> is a serious condition that causes heel pain, and is often mistaken for \u201cgrowing pains.\u201d It\u2019s caused by the fact that a child\u2019s heel bones grow slower than the rest of the ligaments in the legs. When the heel bone goes through a growth spurt, but the rest of the feet and legs are struggling to catch up, the result can be significant heel pain that needs medical attention right away. The condition manifests as limping, difficulty walking, swelling and redness, and intense pain.<\/p>\n

Overuse<\/h3>\n

Kids can have seemingly endless amounts of energy–but the ligaments and muscles in their heels and feet are still susceptible to injury and wear through overuse. When too many sports practices happen back-to-back, or kids engage in physical activity in intense spurts without much warm-up, the muscles and ligaments in the foot may not be able to rest and recover from micro-injuries and wear, resulting in a compounding effect and eventual injury.<\/p>\n

Sports<\/h3>\n\"Severs\n

Sports are one of the most common causes of heel and foot injury for children. Any activity that involves running, jumping, or rapid changes in movement and direction puts significant strain on the arch and heels. When kids engage in sports without supportive footwear, or fail to warm up the muscles in the feet and legs properly, injury to the feet and heels is highly likely.<\/p>\n

Stress Fractures<\/h3>\n

Whether kids play sports or not, most are on the go constantly as they explore and play. Tumbles, falls, and jumps on hard or uneven surfaces can result in stress fractures to the heel or bones in the foot. Stress fractures aren\u2019t a complete break, of the bone, but rather tiny, painful fissures in the bone that require immediate treatment.<\/p>\n

Plantar Fasciitis<\/h3>\n

Plantar fasciitis is the result of inflammation and damage to the arch of the foot, and causes pain in the heel and foot while walking, especially first thing in the morning. Plantar fasciitis can have many causes, but high-impact sports, overuse, and improperly fitting shoes are major culprits for kids.<\/p>\n

Improperly Fitting Shoes<\/h3>\n

Poorly fitting shoes can result in a host of heel and foot problems for kids. Because children\u2019s feet grow so quickly, it\u2019s easy for shoes to become too tight in the heel or toe box. And because many children are very active, shoes often wear out more quickly than their adult counterparts, resulting in poor arch and heel support.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Heel Pain in Children<\/h2>\n\"Symptoms\n

When children experience heel or foot pain–especially in the early stages, they may not articulate it to you, or may talk about it in vague terms. Keep an eye out for the following, so that you can address heel or foot issues early, before they become more serious:<\/p>\n