[Volney3]

Has anybody heard of this? It seems more like an over-use condition combined with growing than an actual disease that seems to effect 9-14 year olds. I noticed that from being the leading scorer on his team in the fall to not a goal this spring that he started running like he had a stick up the back side. He eventually told me that his heels (end of ) were hurting pretty bad. This has obviously slowed him down considerably....I asked his Texans 94 coach about it and he said he noticed it also and immediately told my son is it was Sever's. Has anybody else run into this with their youth select players and did the pads...R.I.C.E. or other methods work on correcting or at least help with it. We have the North Texas State Cup coming up in a couple of weeks and then Surf Cup in California....I want my son to be in the best shape possible for these important tourney's but I sure wouldn't want to risk hurting it more for a short term goal. It's hard to trust what you read on the net...
Concerned father and coach

[NHRef]

Heel pain is fairly common among youths, its basically caused by the heel bones not being fused yet in kids and they get aggrevated.

I went through this with my son and two others on last years U13 team. It can also be diagnosed as plantar fascitus (sp?), or other heel related things.

Yes, rest is the best cure. Soccer shoes typically do not have very good heel support, however this is also common in youth distance runners.

One exercise we had these kids do, that seemed to help, was to sit on a chair or on their bed with the feet flat on the floor. Now scrunch up the toes as if you were on a piece of cloth and trying to pull it towards you with your toes. This supposedly strengthens the muscles in the arch which will give the heel more support.

[MenaceFanatic]

The Des Moines Menace Academy used to have a Bio-Kineticist named Vladimir Vlad on staff for injuries/training/testing. Vlad came from Ajax Capetown and worked with some of the top European professionals. He has incredible credentials and his background can be found on the internet. He has done some extensive research on "building the perfect soccer player" and ways to test for true age (which was especially important in South Africa).

I tell you all this to give some background on the source of what I am about to tell you, because it sounds so simple and stupid that it is unbelievable. Vlad told EVERY Academy and PDL player in Des Moines that the way to avoid 99% of leg injuries is to go to WalMart and purchase a $6 pair of Dr Scholl's inserts which have the heel cup and only extend about halfway down the boot. Here is a link to the exact ones he suggests: http://www.drscholls.com/product.aspx?prodid=33
He was adamant about not purchasing more expensive versions, Dr Scholl's bottom of the line he insists are the best. He says that soccer boots are not designed for individuals, but for the mass markets. By putting in the inserts it allows the boots to conform in a more personal manner and helps with everything from simple cushioning to foot alignment to help with hip and knee problems. Take it for what it is worth, but I can tell you that the rate of leg/foot injuries within the Academy are very low. We did this for our daughter, and it did take away her knee & heel pain. It is definately worth the $6. The only caveat is that the inserts should not only be placed in the soccer boots, but in every pair of shoes the athlete wears.

I know you will be skeptical, I am a medical professional and was also. However, there is no substitute for results and we saw them within a week or so. Hope this tip helps!

[CCTX SoccerFreak]

Wow!!

I had a player complaining of this last night after our training session. I had heard something about this but couldn't remember what it was called. I did tell him that with time off he'd be better. Also told his parents to buy some insoles or heel supports for him for his regular shoes as well as his soccer shoes. Good luck to you guys in the upcoming tournaments.

--Jose
Corpus Christi, TX

[CCTX SoccerFreak]

Originally Posted by MenaceFanatic

The Des Moines Menace Academy used to have a Bio-Kineticist named Vladimir Vlad on staff for injuries/training/testing. Vlad came from Ajax Capetown and worked with some of the top European professionals. He has incredible credentials and his background can be found on the internet. He has done some extensive research on "building the perfect soccer player" and ways to test for true age (which was especially important in South Africa).

I tell you all this to give some background on the source of what I am about to tell you, because it sounds so simple and stupid that it is unbelievable. Vlad told EVERY Academy and PDL player in Des Moines that the way to avoid 99% of leg injuries is to go to WalMart and purchase a $6 pair of Dr Scholl's inserts which have the heel cup and only extend about halfway down the boot. Here is a link to the exact ones he suggests: http://www.drscholls.com/product.aspx?prodid=33
He was adamant about not purchasing more expensive versions, Dr Scholl's bottom of the line he insists are the best. He says that soccer boots are not designed for individuals, but for the mass markets. By putting in the inserts it allows the boots to conform in a more personal manner and helps with everything from simple cushioning to foot alignment to help with hip and knee problems. Take it for what it is worth, but I can tell you that the rate of leg/foot injuries within the Academy are very low. We did this for our daughter, and it did take away her knee & heel pain. It is definately worth the $6. The only caveat is that the inserts should not only be placed in the soccer boots, but in every pair of shoes the athlete wears.

I know you will be skeptical, I am a medical professional and was also. However, there is no substitute for results and we saw them within a week or so. Hope this tip helps!

Thank God!! [IMG]http://smileys.**************************.com/cat/4/4_1_2.gif[/IMG]

I was hoping I gave him the right advice...not to mention that I did suggest that he go to the Doctor to make sure it wasn't a bone spur or anything...

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Volney3

Has anybody heard of this?

Yes. It is the heel cousin of Osgood-Schlatter, which is a knee condition that my son has grown quite familiar with. I have also known several kids with Severs.

Neither of them are overuse injuries per se. They are instead growth conditions that can be exacerbated by certain sporting activities. When the growth spurt ends, the symptoms disappear.

Osgood benefits from ice, heel inserts, and stretching/strengthening exercises. Couldn't tell you how to treat Severs, but I would guess that it would be similar.

[scoachd1]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Neither of them are overuse injuries per se. They are instead growth conditions that can be exacerbated by certain sporting activities. When the growth spurt ends, the symptoms disappear.

Osgood benefits from ice, heel inserts, and stretching/strengthening exercises. Couldn't tell you how to treat Severs, but I would guess that it would be similar.

If you go to any U10 or U11 team, there is a good chance at least one players has some symptoms of severs. There's also a really good chance that neither the coach nor the parent will realize this is why the young athlete no longer seems to have the speed they once did.

Do a search on google. Ice helps inflamation. Stretching relieves pressure on the inflamed tendons that are not quite keeping up with bone rapid bone growth and heel inserts relieve some of the pounding. Good news is that even the worst case, time will heal it.

[Volney3]

Wow....thanks for all the info. We did go buy some expensive (well only $12) "top quality" inserts but they are too tall...He played last night and complained about the shoe rubbing alot on back of the foot...so new problem of course was a blister. I personally thought that the new insert was too high/tall and was going to try another insert anyway. This makes me feel alot better. We also did have x-rays performed just to make sure concerning bone spurs etc....

Thanks...you guys rock!!!

[Dr Jay]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Yes. It is the heel cousin of Osgood-Schlatter, which is a knee condition that my son has grown quite familiar with. I have also known several kids with Severs.

Neither of them are overuse injuries per se. They are instead growth conditions that can be exacerbated by certain sporting activities. When the growth spurt ends, the symptoms disappear.

Osgood benefits from ice, heel inserts, and stretching/strengthening exercises. Couldn't tell you how to treat Severs, but I would guess that it would be similar.

Right as usual, JohnR.

I would make sure of the diagnosis by seeing an orthopod or podiatrist.

Ice after playing is helpful. NSAIDS are helpful too, but use them sparingly.

We never got anywhere with inserts but found that practicing in turf shoes (more shock absorption) and saving the harder soled cleats for games only was also very helpful.

If it is Severs', no long term damage to play through it, but make sure thats what it is !

[hattrick_hero7]

i suffered from something similar to this when i was bout 13. it started to develope after i tore my acheles in scottland on an odp tour. (damn scotts ) after that healed up. i had alot of problems with my heel hurting it felt like someone was trying to rip my heel in half. i went ot the docotor and he told me to just play through it.. i tore my growth plate in my heel aparently from the force on my ackeles.