If your child is complaining about painful or swollen heels, or you have noticed them avoiding putting weight on their heels, they may have a condition known as Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease is an irritation of the growth plate in the heel bone. During puberty, when bones tend to grow more rapidly than muscles and tendons, these tissues can tighten and lose flexibility in response. If this tightening happens in the Achilles tendon, which attaches to heel bone, it can pull on the heel and irritate its growth plate. Sever’s disease is most common in children going through a growth spurt and who are physically active, especially with sports involving repetitive running and jumping. The condition typically occurs in children aged 10-12, before the heel bone has completely hardened. If you suspect your child may be experiencing Sever’s disease, take them to see a podiatrist who can diagnose the issue and help treat the pain and discomfort.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ, near Warren, Stirling, and Bedminster . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Shoe inserts that are designed to help relieve pain for a variety of foot conditions (including corns and calluses, tendonitis, bunions, heel pain, and recurring stress fractures) are known as orthotics. Orthotics can be made from various materials, such as rubber, plastic, leather, and in some cases, even metal. Podiatrists often make custom orthotics to treat specific issues. Podiatrists customize orthotics by accounting for the biomechanics of the foot as well as the function and structure of the foot. Patients who are struggling with pain in their feet may wish to consult a podiatrist who can prescribe custom orthotics that are specific to your foot.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ, near Warren, Stirling, and Bedminster . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The ankle is a joint made up of many components, such as leg and foot bones, ligaments, nerves, cartilage, tendons, and muscles. As a complex joint that is responsible for the foot’s up-and-down movement, it is prone injury in various ways, often causing pain. Ankle sprains and strains are the most common form of ankle pain. Other possible reasons for ankle pain include Achilles tendonitis, a ruptured Achilles tendon, nerve damage, a tumor, and different forms of arthritis—such as gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Along with pain, you may experience redness, bruising and numbness, or tingling, and your ankle may feel weak or stiff. You may also have difficulty putting weight on the ankle. Podiatrists frequently deal with all matters of ankle pain, so it may be wise to make an appointment if you are experiencing any of these symptoms in order to get the proper diagnosis treatment.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ, near Warren, Stirling, and Bedminster . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.