Is it Normal for children to Have Heel Pain?
Well, actually, it’s not normal for children to have any foot pain. While sometimes we attribute children’s pain to “growing pains,” the feet should not have pain unless there is a problem. Unfortunately, ignoring the pain or prolonging treatment can make things worse or create complications later. So if your child is experiencing heel pain, come see our podiatrists for treatment for one of these possible causes:
- Sever’s Disease, or Calcaneal Apophysitis, is one of the most common causes of heel pain in children. A tight Achilles tendon can pull on the growing heel bone, causing pain and tenderness at the back of the heel. Children who jump a lot (like in jump-roping) are more likely to experience this issue.
- Plantar Fasciitis – The plantar fascia is a stretch of connective tissues along the bottom of the feet. When it is injured or overused, it can become inflamed, causing pain in the arch of the foot and the bottom of the heel. Some may only experience this pain periodically, but for others, long periods of standing or activity can make it worse. Orthotic inserts or shoes can help relieve pain and prevent them from getting worse.
- Heel spurs – Plantar Fasciitis can also cause bony spurs to develop from the heel bone, which can cause pain. Come see our podiatrists to get treated.
- Achilles Tendinitis – Similar to Sever’s Disease, the tendon in the heel can also become injured or overworked, causing inflammation and pain.
- Fractures – A child can experience small fractures from injuries while jumping or playing sports. Children’s bones are still not fully hardened, so they are more prone to injury. A small fracture can cause pain and tenderness, but may not be immediately obvious. Your child will need an X-ray for proper diagnosis.
Treatment for heel pain will depend on the cause of the pain. For overuse injuries, custom orthotics may be helpful to reduce foot strain. There are other treatment options available, like PRP therapy and EPAT Shockwave therapy, but our podiatrist can recommend what’s best for your child.
If your child has complained about heel pain, schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists at Alamitos-Seal Beach Podiatry Group for a thorough assessment. One of our board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Douglas H. Richie, Dr. Jeremy L. Cook, Dr. Faye E. Izadi will be happy to help at either of our Seal Beach, CA and Los Alamitos, CA offices in Orange County.
