SEVER’S DISEASE
(CALCANEAL APOPHYSITIS)
SEVER’S DISEASE
WHAT IS SEVER’S DISEASE?
Sever’s disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain in young athletes, affecting the growth plate at the back of the heel bone (calcaneus). It occurs when repetitive stress from running and jumping irritates the developing heel growth plate.
The condition typically affects active children between the ages of 8 and 15, particularly those involved in sports that involve running, sprinting and jumping. Sports commonly associated with Sever’s disease include rugby, football, hockey, netball and running based.
During growth spurts, bones can grow faster than muscles and tendons, creating tension through the Achilles tendon where it attaches to the heel. This repeated traction can irritate the growth plate and cause pain.
At PROVIEW SPORTS INJURY CLINIC IN CHELTENHAM, our sports therapists regularly assess young athletes experiencing Sever’s disease, providing hands-on treatment, education and progressive exercise guidance to support continued participation in sport during growth.
WHY SEVER’S DISEASE CAN PERSIST
Many young athletes attempt to train through heel pain, assuming it will settle on its own.
However, during periods of rapid growth the heel growth plate is more sensitive to repetitive loading. Continued high training loads can lead to persistent irritation and recurring symptoms.
Factors that may contribute to ongoing symptoms include:
• rapid growth spurts
• tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon
• high running or jumping loads
• sudden increases in training volume
• poor footwear or hard training surfaces
Without appropriate load management, symptoms can persist throughout periods of growth.
Early management allows young athletes to remain active in sport while reducing stress through the heel.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF SEVER’S DISEASE
Young athletes with Sever’s disease may experience:
• pain at the back or bottom of the heel
• heel pain during running or jumping activities
• limping after sport
• tenderness when the heel is squeezed
• stiffness around the heel and Achilles tendon
Symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with rest.
WHY SEVER’S DISEASE IS COMMON IN SPORT
Sever’s disease is an overuse injury linked to repetitive stress on the heel during activity.
Sports that involve high volumes of, sprinting, jumping acceleration and deceleration place repeated load through the heel growth plate.
Youth footballers and running athletes commonly experience symptoms due to the combination of training load and rapid physical development.
It is sometimes referred to as “Osgood Schlatter of the heel”, as both conditions involve irritation of growth plates during adolescence.
SPORTS THERAPY TREATMENT FOR SEVER’S DISEASE
Sports therapy can play an important role in helping young athletes manage heel pain while remaining active in sport.
Treatment may include:
• targeted sports massage to the calf muscles
• soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension
• mobility work for the calf and Achilles tendon
• taping strategies to reduce load through the heel
• guidance on training modification and load management
The aim is to reduce tension through the Achilles tendon and decrease irritation of the heel growth plate.
EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION AND LOAD MANAGEMENT
Alongside hands-on treatment, athletes are guided through simple strengthening and mobility exercises to support heel function.
Exercise guidance may include:
• calf mobility and stretching exercises
• foot and ankle strengthening
• single-leg stability work
• progressive loading strategies
These exercises help improve lower limb strength and movement control, reducing stress through the heel during sport.
Load management is also important. Temporary adjustments to training volume or intensity can allow symptoms to settle while maintaining overall athletic development.
PARENT AND YOUTH ATHLETE EDUCATION
Education is a key part of managing Sever’s disease.
Parents and young athletes are often unsure how much sport is safe when heel pain develops during growth.
At Proview Sports Injury Clinic we help athletes and parents understand how to manage symptoms while continuing to develop in sport.
Key areas we guide include:
• understanding the cause of heel pain during growth
• appropriate warm-up and mobility strategies
• managing training load during growth spurts
• recognising early signs of flare-ups
• recovery strategies following training
With the right guidance, most athletes can continue participating in sport while symptoms gradually improve.
If your child is experiencing persistent knee pain during sport, our sports therapy team can assess the problem and guide safe training during growth.
YOUTH STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING SUPPORT
Some young athletes benefit from structured strength and conditioning programmes to support their long-term athletic development.
Our sports therapists can guide young athletes into age-appropriate strength training programmes designed to improve movement quality, strength and resilience.
These programmes focus on:
• developing lower limb strength
• improving hip and glute stability
• building single-leg control and coordination
• supporting healthy movement patterns during sport
This approach helps young athletes manage symptoms while continuing to develop physically throughout adolescence.
WHEN PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION MAY HELP
Some athletes may benefit from additional physiotherapy support, particularly if symptoms persist or affect sporting performance.
Our physiotherapy team can provide:
• structured rehabilitation programmes
• progressive strength training
• biomechanical movement analysis
• return-to-sport planning
This allows athletes to progress into higher-level rehabilitation where needed while remaining supported by our sports injury clinic team.
SEVER’S DISEASE TREATMENT IN CHELTENHAM
At PROVIEW SPORTS INJURY CLINIC, we regularly support youth athletes across Cheltenham experiencing Sever’s disease.
Our approach combines:
• sports therapy treatment
• education and load management guidance
• progressive exercise prescription
• access to physiotherapy rehabilitation where required
Our goal is to help young athletes remain active in sport while managing heel pain safely during growth.
SEVERS FAQ
Is Sever’s disease serious?
Sever’s disease is not a serious condition and does not cause long-term damage. However, it can cause significant heel pain during growth if training loads are not managed appropriately.
Can children continue playing sport with Sever’s disease?
In many cases, children can continue participating in sport with adjustments to training load and symptom management.
How long does Sever’s disease last?
Symptoms may last several weeks or months during periods of growth but usually resolve once the growth plate matures.
Does sports therapy help Sever’s disease?
Sports therapy can help reduce muscle tension, improve mobility and guide exercises that reduce stress through the heel.
BOOK A SPORTS THERAPY APPOINTMENT
If your child is experiencing heel pain during sport, our team can assess the problem and guide their recovery.
Book a Sports Therapy Appointment at Proview Sports Injury Clinic in Cheltenham.