Sometimes getting to the root of your children’s problems can be a challenge. Kids don’t always know what the problem is. Johnny may say he’s upset at his sister, but the root issue is that he’s tired. Jane may complain she doesn’t want to run around anymore, but really her heels are bothering her. When it comes to pain and issues with the body, things can be even more complicated because so many different causes can be at fault. That’s certainly the case for children’s heel pain.
Children’s heel pain can have many different causes. Just like in adults, there’s more than one type of heel pain. In some cases, the pain comes from a soft tissue injury. In others, it’s related to a bone problem. It all depends on your child’s unique feet and the specific condition he or she has. Identifying that specific cause, however, can help your child get the right treatment.
Here are some of the most common reasons children’s heels hurt:
- Sever’s disease – This injury is often considered the most common source of children’s heel pain. Excessive stress on the back of the foot while your child is growing can inflame the heel bone’s growth plate.
- Achilles tendon pain – Strain and overuse on the Achilles tendon can lead to inflammation, swelling, thickening, and degeneration of the tissue.
- Plantar fasciitis – Stress and pressure from too much weight or overuse can aggravate the ligament on the bottom of your child’s foot, causing painful thickening and swelling there. This is usually most painful first thing in the morning.
- Fractures – Sometimes the heel bone can crack from overuse, or simply break from a traumatic injury.
Just like in adults, children can develop heel pain for a variety of reasons. While Sever’s disease is the most common culprit, the only way to be sure your child gets the care he or she needs is to have the condition carefully examined and diagnosed. Let our team with Absolute Foot Care Specialists help you get to the root of your child’s pain—and then eliminate it. Contact our Las Vegas offices today for more information or to make an appointment. Call (702) 839-2010 or use our website to reach us.
