Condition, Sever

Inflammation of the growth plate of the calcaneus, the bone at the back of the heel. The inflammation is at the point where the Achilles tendon attaches. Sever condition occurs mainly in adolescent or older children, particularly active boys. It can be very painful. It is one of those conditions often dismissed as "growing pains". When Sever condition flares up, it is treated with activity limitation, medication, shoe inserts, heel lifts, and sometimes casting when it becomes especially severe. Sever condition is usually self-limited and disappears as the child ages. Other names for Sever condition include apophysitis of the calcaneus and apophysitis calcaneus.