Sever's Disease

The basics Although not a true disease (the name makes it sound worse than it really is), Sever’s Disease involves an injury to the growth plate at the heel bone, near the attachment of the achilles tendon. The heel bone hurts when you squeeze it, and it is painful to run or even walk. This is an overuse injury and requires rest. Ice applications, a heel lift (or heel pad) and light stretching are usually helpful in aiding recovery. More severe injuries require a walking boot. A stress fracture to the heel bone can mimic Sever’s Disease.

Do I need to see a doctor? If your heel pain is not improving within 7-10 days of discontinuing sports activities and starting treatment with the athletic trainers, see your doctor. An MRI or other imaging may be needed to rule out a calcaneal (heel bone) stress fracture, which is a different injury than Sever’s Disease.

When can I get back to my sport? Recovery from Sever’s Disease usually takes several weeks. Often we see athletes who start to feel better, become impatient and resume sports too quickly, only to find the pain return. It is very important to introduce running and other physical activity gradually at the direction of the athletic trainers or your doctor. We typically start you off with a walk/run interval program once your symptoms improve, to slowly get you back to running. Do not return to sports until you are cleared by either the athletic trainers or your doctor. Once you feel ready to play, the athletic trainers will take you through a “functional test,” including sprints and other sports-specific movements.