Youth athletes stay active year-round indoors and outdoors in competitive sports, and for many of them heel pain has become “just another part of the game.” Foot and ankle experts advise that when a child complains of heel pain, it should be diagnosed promptly because it may be a warning sign of a serious foot problem.
Heel pain occurs frequently in children ages 6 to 14 as their feet grow and the heel bone develops. As children become more active in sports they increase their risk for growth-plate injuries and subsequent heel pain. This is especially true at back-to-school time when surgeons see an increase in middle and high school athletes experiencing heel pain with football and soccer seasons simultaneously underway.
New bone forms in an area behind the heel, known as the growth plate, and cartilage is vulnerable to severe inflammation from strain or stress. With repeated stresses and strains from over activity, the heel becomes very painful.
Even though growth-plate trauma is the leading cause of heel pain in young people, the condition can be difficult to diagnose. Parents should be concerned if a child has pain in the back or bottom of the heel, limps, walks on the toes, or seems to have difficulty participating in normal recreational activities. The condition is diagnosed by a thorough examination of the child’s feet and legs and possibly medical imaging tests to rule out other serious causes of heel pain, such as bursitis, tendonitis and fractures.
In most cases, mild or moderate heel pain can be treated successfully with shoe inserts to soften the impact on the heel, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching and physical therapy. In severe cases, the foot and ankle will be immobilized in a cast and, in some instances, surgery may be necessary.
Heel pain in young people often returns after treatment because the growth plate is still forming until the age of 14 or 15. However, the risk for recurrence can be lowered by choosing well-constructed shoes with good support and restricting use of spiked athletic shoes, especially on hard fields. It also is advised that young athletes avoid competition that exceeds their physical abilities.
Dr. Feldman is a board certified foot and ankle surgeon who specializes in the treatment of various orthopedic conditions of the foot and ankle. If your child is experiencing heel or foot pain, call Dr. Feldman’s office at 301-515-0900 or schedule an appointment online.
For more information on heel pain in children visit the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ Web site, FootHealthFacts.org.
