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Severs disease

(2 Posts)
merlotgran Wed 04-Mar-15 11:36:55

Katek, I had this when I was twelve. I can't remember what it was called then so I've just googled Severs disease to check it's the same thing.

We had just returned to the UK from Aden so my feet were not used to wearing brogues and after a spell in a very sporty boarding school I went to a day school that required a long walk to the bus stop. We'd just had a snowy winter and I'd had great fun tabogganing down the steep hill at the back of our house but I'd been using my heels as a brake!!

The pain in my heels was at first put down to the cold weather but when I started limping so badly I could only shuffle along the road to the bus stop my parents took me to the MO. He was mystified at first because there were no outward signs of injury and no swelling but I could not bear anyone touching my heels. I was passed on to other docs who also scratched their heads but finally somebody said it was due to overuse, sudden growth, incorrect footwear and too much walking.

Rest finally cured it although it took a long time but I was warned that I might be prone to diseases of the joints caused by overuse and growth spurts. This proved to be correct because at 14 I suffered from osteochondrosis in my right knee and have had problems with arthritis ever since.

I do hope your DGS soon gets some relief from what is a really painful condition. The trainers sound like a good idea. I wish they'd been around in my day.

Katek Wed 04-Mar-15 09:44:48

My extremely active 8 year old DGS (football, rugby, judo) has just been diagnosed with this-it seems to be related to the development of the heel bones and is often found in sporty children. I had never heard of this before, and wondered if anyone else had who might have some helpful ideas. Dad has already bought him Nike Air trainers and cushioned insoles for his school shoes.