Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Sever’s disease heel pain resolves completely with skeletal maturity — but the specific activity level that determines whether your child needs a walking boot versus just heel lifts is the variable most parents never discuss at the first visit. Call (810) 206-1402 — Balance Foot & Ankle serves Novi and all of Southeast Michigan.
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM · Board-Certified Podiatrist · Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC · Updated 2026
Sever’s Disease Near Novi, MI
Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) evaluation and treatment near Novi, MI is available at Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills. Dr. Biernacki DPM diagnoses this growth plate traction injury in active children 8-15 with the calcaneal squeeze test, manages it with Achilles stretching, heel cups, and activity modification, and reassures families that it is self-limited — resolving when the growth plate closes. Call (810) 206-1402.
The Most Common Cause of Heel Pain in Active Children
Sever’s disease — calcaneal apophysitis — is a traction apophysitis of the calcaneal growth plate caused by repetitive Achilles tendon stress during rapid bone growth in active children. It is the most common cause of heel pain in children aged 8-15, and nearly every youth sports family will encounter it. The mechanism: during growth spurts, the calcaneal bone grows faster than the Achilles tendon can lengthen, increasing traction on the growth plate. Every push-off during running applies this traction force, causing inflammation and pain. Clinical presentation: heel pain in an athletic child aged 8-15 (peak: girls 8-10, boys 10-12), worsened by activity, improved with rest, bilateral in ~60% of cases. Calcaneal squeeze test: Compressing the heel from medial and lateral sides simultaneously reproduces the pain — pathognomonic for Sever’s. X-ray shows normal or minor fragmentation of the calcaneal apophysis (a normal developmental variant); X-ray is mainly used to rule out other causes like calcaneal fracture or bone tumor. The key reassurance for Novi-area families: Sever’s disease is entirely self-limiting — it resolves completely when the calcaneal growth plate closes, typically by age 15. There is no long-term damage to the heel.
Key Takeaway: Sever’s disease = calcaneal apophysitis in active children 8-15. Calcaneal squeeze test = pathognomonic. Self-limited — resolves when growth plate closes (~age 15). Treatment: Achilles/gastrocnemius stretching, silicone heel cups, activity modification during flares. No long-term heel damage. Children can remain active with appropriate footwear and stretching. Boot immobilization only for severe cases preventing normal walking.
Treatment: Stretching, Support, and Reassurance
Achilles and gastrocnemius stretching: The most effective intervention — lengthens the Achilles tendon and reduces traction on the growth plate. Wall stretches with knee straight (gastrocnemius) and bent (soleus) twice daily. Plantar fascia stretch each morning before first steps. Heel cups: Silicone gel heel cups cushion the heel and slightly elevate it, reducing Achilles tension at the apophysis. OTC gel heel cups are very effective for most children. Custom orthotics with heel lift for children with flat feet or high arches. Activity modification: Reduce high-impact activity during flares. Complete rest is rarely necessary — cross-training with swimming or cycling maintains fitness. Boot immobilization: For severe cases with significant limp — walking boot 2-4 weeks, then gradual return with stretching program. Footwear: Firm, supportive athletic shoes with good heel cushioning; avoid flip flops and bare feet on hard surfaces during growth spurts.
⚠️ See a Podiatrist If:
- Child’s heel pain not improving with stretching and heel cups after 4-6 weeks
- Heel pain so severe the child limps or won’t participate in sports
- Heel pain in a child under 8 or over 15 — consider other diagnoses beyond Sever’s
- Unilateral severe heel pain in a child — rule out calcaneal stress fracture or bone lesion
- Night pain or rest pain — red flag for bone pathology, needs imaging
OrthoInfo – AAOS: Sever’s Disease
Getting to Our Office From Novi
Our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 is about 20 minutes from Novi via I-96 E to M-1 (Woodward Ave). We accept most major insurance. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.
Child With Heel Pain? Get a Sever’s Disease Evaluation
Balance Foot & Ankle · Serving Novi & Michigan
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📋 Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS answers:
Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is the most common cause of heel pain in children aged 8 to 14, and it is something we diagnose and treat frequently at our practice serving families from Novi and the surrounding area. The condition occurs because the Achilles tendon attaches to the calcaneal growth plate, and during periods of rapid growth the tendon is pulled taut across an apophysis that is still developing and vulnerable to traction stress. It is not a true disease and not a permanent injury — it resolves when the growth plate fuses, typically by age 15 to 16.
Treatment focuses on reducing the traction force the Achilles exerts on the growth plate and managing symptoms during the growth phase. Heel wedges or heel lifts placed inside cleats and athletic shoes raise the heel and reduce Achilles tension immediately and significantly. Calf stretching performed multiple times per day addresses the underlying tightness that drives the traction force. Activity modification — reducing high-impact sports during a flare but not eliminating all activity — allows the apophysis to calm down without deconditioned children losing months of sport participation unnecessarily. Most children improve meaningfully within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent treatment.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.