Pediatric Complaints
Sever's Disease / Calcaneal Apophysitis (Pediatric Heel Pain)
Definition:
Disruption of the growth plates causing inflammation and pain at the back of the heel bone, known as Sever's disease or Calcaneal Apophysitis.
Symptoms:
This condition is common with children between the ages of 8 - 14 years, particularly during or after sporting activity.
Biomechanical etiology:
At age 8-14 children's bones have not ossified and high activity may disrupt the growth plates causing inflammation and pain.
Treatment:
Orthotic treatment controls excess pronation of the foot and thereby stabilizes the heel bone and its growth plate.
Exercises:
- Stretching of the calf muscles.
Pediatric Leg Pains (Growing Pains)
Definition:
A complex condition, but commonly found in children after periods of activity.
Symptoms:
Children commonly exhibit pain and stiffness in the calf muscles and during the night they awake complaining of leg pains.
Biomechanical etiology:
Children's bone structures are generally more flexible and mobile than adults. Therefore, high activity on their feet commonly causes the muscles to overwork and may later cause muscle stiffness and pain.
Treatment:
Softer orthotics like ORTHAHEEL (or VASYLI Custom green orthotics) gently stabilize the bones and soft tissue structures in children's feet and lower leg structures. Orthotics assist in the alignment of young growing bones and greatly reduces muscle overuse and strain.
Additional treatment:
Often growing pains respond well to massage.
Exercises:
- Stretching of the calf muscles.
Osgood Schlatter's Disease (Pediatric Knee Pain)
Definition:
A similar mechanism to sever's disease, but occurring at the tibial tuberosity.
Symptoms:
Pain below the knee.
Biomechanical etiology:
Excess internal tibial rotation associated with excess pronation causes abnormal tractional forces on the insertion of the patella tendon. This may disrupt the tibial growth plate and the child will experience secondary swelling and pain.
Treatment:
Orthotics control excessive internal rotation of the tibia thereby reducing tractional forces placed on the knee joint and growth plate.
Additional treatment:
Ice therapy, rest.