Foot Related Children's pains - Severs Disease(Heel Pain) and Osgood
Schlatters Disease(Knee Pain)
Children suffer from a number of pains in the
feet and lower limb when they are growing. These are commonly called growing
pains. If the feet are functioning abnormally (pronating) during this growth
period they place greater strains on an already strained musculoskeletal system.
The two most common forms of growing pains are heel pain and knee
pain.
Heel Pain / Severs Disease
This condition usually
present between the ages of 8-15 years. This is usually a dull type pain that is
made worse with activity. The pain originates from the growth centre in the back
of the heel. As the foot pronates it places increased pressure on the growth
plate area while it is attempting to grow. This causes pain and tenderness in
the area.
The pain in the heel associated with Severs Disease is usually
worse towards the end of and when the child cools down. In more severe cases the
pain may be so great that the child may either limp or be forced to stop
activity.
Knee Pain / Osgood Schlatter's Syndrome
This is a
similar process to Severs Disease however on this occasion it occurs just below
the knee cap. This is also a dull type pain that is worse on exercise. On this
occasion the growth plate is on the upper part of the shin bone. When the feet
excessively pronate (roll in) this causes the entire lower limb to internally
rotate. This in turn puts excessive loads on the growth plate in the knee and
causes pain.
Docpods help to prevent both Severs Disease and Osgood
Schlatters Syndrome through limiting the amount of pronation. This helps to
relieve the strain on the growth centers through mechanical unloading in young
adults and in turn reduces the amount of pain.
