Heel pain can affect anyone. Most people tend to associate it with working adults or athletes who spend a lot of time on their feet, or with years of wear and tear catching up to you. However, it is far from an adults-only problem. Children can develop heel pain, too.
Children’s heel pain can have a few different causes, though some culprits are more common than others. At our Heel Pain Center of Southern Nevada, we can identify these causes and provide relief for your little one.
Common Sources of Pain
Just like in adults, heel pain in children can be multi-faceted. There are multiple reasons a child’s heel could be hurting, from soft tissue injuries to bone issues. Here are some of the most common reasons children develop pain in their heels:
- Sever’s disease – By far the most common culprit of heel pain in children, this condition isn’t a disease at all. It’s actually an overuse injury. Too much stress on the back of the foot irritates and inflames the growth plate in the bone, causing pain whenever your child is active.
- Achilles tendon problems – Excessive strain and overuse can aggravate the Achilles tendon, creating pain behind the ankle. The tendon thickens and swells, and may feel tender to the touch. Usually this makes it quite painful for your child to run, jump, or otherwise use that foot to push off the ground.
- Plantar fasciitis – Repetitive hard impacts or excessive pressure on the feet can overstretch and damage the plantar fascia. This causes pain on the underside of the heel, particularly first thing in the morning when your child gets up.
- Fractures – Whether it’s a thin crack from overuse or a traumatic injury, any kind of break in the heel bone will be intensely painful for your child.
Other issues are possible, too, like bursitis or nerve pain. These conditions tend to be much less common, however. Just like in adults, the key to taking care of the pain is to have it accurately diagnosed and carefully treated with targeted methods.
Getting Your Children the Care They Need
Dr. Noah Levine will carefully examine your child’s lower limbs to determine the source of the problem. This tends to involve a variety of diagnostic tests, such as x-rays. Once the specific problem is identified, our team is able to work with you and your child to formulate a targeted treatment plan. Depending on your child’s age, you may need to be proactive about helping your son or daughter follow through with all treatment steps to fully recover.
For nearly every source of children’s heel pain, rest will be a big factor in their recovery. This will mean having your child cut back on sports and running around in general to allow the feet time to heal (we still encourage some movement, however, and will work with you and your child to develop a low-impact activity plan). It’s possible your child will need shoe adjustments or even orthotics. Foot stretches and exercises are common treatment methods as well.
Children’s heel pain can be just as debilitating and problematic as heel pain in adults. You don’t have to worry, however. Get it checked by experts like our team at Absolute Foot Care Specialists. We’ll identify the source of the problem and provide individualized treatment to help your son or daughter heal and get back to their favorite activities as soon as possible. Contact our Las Vegas offices for more information or an appointment today. Just call (702) 839-2010 or use our website to reach us.
