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Heel pain after footy, netball or soccer?
Help to keep your child playing while it settles
Sever's disease: heel pain in active children
Sever's disease is irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel. It's a common cause of heel pain in active children, most often between about 9 and 13, during growth spurts and in running and jumping sports. It settles once the heel bone finishes growing; until then, changing how much they run and jump, plus simple home care, usually eases it.
Sever's disease is irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel. It's a common cause of heel pain in active children, most often between about 9 and 13, during growth spurts and in running and jumping sports.
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It settles once the heel bone finishes growing; until then, changing how much they run and jump, plus simple home care, usually eases it.
How we can help at Burwood Podiatry
Sever's disease usually settles, and there's plenty we can do to help your child stay active while it does.
- A clear answer: we check it's Sever's and not another cause, such as a stress injury or an Achilles problem; X-rays aren't usually needed
- Heel cups or heel raises, if needed, to ease the strain in school and sport shoes, and orthotics only if the assessment shows they'd help
- A stretch and strength plan your child can do at home, built up over time: strength and rehab
- Shoe advice for school and sport: choosing shoes
- A return-to-sport plan you can share with their coach, and a review to check progress
What you can do at home
- Ease off the running and jumping that brings on the pain, and keep them active in ways that don't hurt, such as swimming or cycling
- Ice the heel for up to 20 minutes after sport if it's sore, wrapped in a cloth, never straight on the skin
- Supportive, well-fitting shoes for school and sport; avoid long periods barefoot on hard ground while it's sore
- Gentle calf stretches, if they don't hurt, held for about 30 seconds
- Build back up to full sport gradually as pain allows, and let the coach and school know the plan
When to get it checked
- Heel pain that limits sport, play or walking, or keeps getting worse
- A limp
- Pain at rest or at night, swelling, redness or warmth: see us or your GP promptly
- Pain after a fall or awkward landing: same-day care if they can't put weight on it
How long does Sever's disease last?
It tends to come and go with activity and growth spurts, and stops once the heel's growth plate finishes growing. With sensible changes most children keep playing in some form. When pain is severe, some need a longer break, occasionally a season or more, from the sport that makes it worse it.
Can't put weight on it after a fall, or a hot, swollen heel with fever? Get same-day care. Emergency, or a foot that suddenly turns cold, pale or blue? Call 000.
Sever's disease questions
Why does my child's heel hurt after footy, netball or soccer?
In active children aged about 9 to 13, heel pain after running and jumping sports is commonly Sever's disease: irritation of the heel's growth plate. It settles once growth finishes, and many children keep playing with less running and jumping, ice after sport and supportive shoes.
Does my child need to stop sport with Sever's disease?
Not always. Many children keep playing with less running and jumping, ice after sport and supportive shoes. If the pain makes them limp or keeps getting worse, a break from the sport that hurts helps it settle.
What age does Sever's disease affect?
Most often children aged about 9 to 13, during growth spurts. It's unusual once the heel's growth plate has finished growing in the teens.
Do heel cups or orthotics help Sever's disease?
Gel heel cups or small heel raises can ease the strain on the heel while it settles. Custom orthotics aren't usually needed.
How much is an appointment for my child?
A 30-minute appointment is $112 with Jasem, or $162 with Jonathan ($179 on Saturdays). No referral needed. If your child has a chronic condition and a GP care plan, Medicare pays $63.40 back per eligible visit. Fees and rebates
Where to next
Sources
Reviewed by Burwood Podiatry · November 2026