Heel Pain in Youth Sports is Common

Heel Pain in Youth Sports is Common

One of the most common youth sports injuries I see is related to heel pain. This problem is usually apophysitis or Sever’s disease. This is an inflammation of the growth plate.  This can be caused by trauma and stress created by running and impact sports.  But there are other factors that result in the inflammation of the growth plate. These include imbalances of a flat foot or a high-arched foot, poor fitting cleats or improperly fitting shoes, and improper training methods.

Typically an x-ray evaluation is needed to make a diagnosis and to rule out any bone fractures. An orthotic is often needed to correct the issues which may be causing a jamming effect on the heel plate. Try to eliminate the use of any shoes with less than four cleats in the heel area for field sports. In summary, watch for any warning signals.  When a child complains of heel pain, there is usually a need for examination.  Make sure you call 402-315-4406 (402-315-4406) so that your child stays in the game.