Calcaneal epiphysitis in adolescent athletes

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Calcaneal epiphysitis (Sever's disease) is a common cause of heel pain in active children.
• It affects the growth plate of the calcaneus, often related to repetitive stress from sports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cases of calcaneal epiphysitis.
• To analyze clinical findings, biomechanical factors, and treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of twenty pediatric cases with heel pain.
• Physical and biomechanical evaluations focusing on leg and foot alignment.
• Analysis of various treatment modalities including rest, ice, footwear modifications, orthotics, and heel lifts.

Main Results:

• Eighty percent of cases were bilateral, with a mean age of 11.2 years.
• Common biomechanical findings included genu varus and forefoot varus.
• Conservative treatments showed good response: 75% symptom reduction in 1 month, 95% by 3 months.

Conclusions:

• Calcaneal epiphysitis is prevalent in young athletes, often linked to biomechanical issues.
• Conservative management, including footwear adjustments and orthotics, is effective for symptom relief.
• Prompt treatment leads to significant improvement in most pediatric patients.