A common complaint at the beginning of every soccer season with my pediatric patients is heel pain. Unlike the common plantar fasciitis, the pain is more in the back of the heel.
Student Athlete will complain of pain during and after their practices that is only relieved with rest, but as soon as they start up again, the pain returns. Parents can try ice and sometimes an anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain but the pain can be consistent.
This is different than plantar fasciitis and is known as Sever’s Disease. Don’t let the word disease scare you. It is a condition, seen primarily in my growing patient. The major cause is excessive pulling on the growth plate at the heel bone. Especially in the beginning of the soccer season, kids jump right into action, they may have grown a little over the past few months that they haven’t played, and the growth plate is under too much stress.
I always find it amazing how our own bodies tell us “SOMETHING’S WRONG.”
Instead of suffering, there are solutions.
1. Check your shoes. A new supportive training shoe can be extremely helpful as older shoes can be worn down creating excessive stress on the entire foot.
2. Stretch. The best way of reducing the pull of the tendon on the heel bone is to stretch the Achilles tendon that inserts into the area.
3. Warm up! I know it’s exciting to be back with your friends and show them the new Messi-like moves that you’ve been working on, but to avoid an injury some light warming up can make a world of difference.
4. Support the foot from the outside with podiatric approved inserts. Inserts to relieve the strain at the heel, cushion your ride and stabilize your foot in the appropriate position can make the difference between making it onto Manchester City or playing for St. Bede’s Parish league team (Dr. Pagano’s team)
5. Rest. I never like telling anybody to stop doing something that they love, so I always discuss “ALTERING YOUR TRAINING.” Sometimes the body needs to heal. Hitting the pool, riding a bike, or doing a professional trainer’s program to keep you in shape can be the difference between a short period of time off of the field and the entire season off of the field.
Get Running
Pain in any situation is a problem, listen to your body’s warning signs but nothing can be more helpful than an evaluation by your favorite group of podiatrist at Barking Dogs Foot and Ankle Care.
Welcome Back Athletes! Don’t let that heel pain end your season!
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