What is Morbus Sever?
Morbus Sever, or calcaneal apophysitis, is a common injury that occurs mostly in active children between the ages of 8 and 15 years. It is a condition involving inflammation or irritation of the calcaneal growth plate. This type of injury is often caused by excessive pressure on the heel, especially during sports activities that require a lot of jumping or running, such as hockey, football, volleyball or basketball. Symptoms of Morbus Sever include pain, swelling and tenderness at the back of the heel, especially during walking, running or jumping. Rest, cold compresses, podiatry/physiotherapy and reducing the activities causing the injury are often effective treatments for this injury.
Complaints
- Pain at the back or bottom of the heel
- Pain worsens when walking, running or jumping
- Heel may be sensitive and sometimes slightly swollen
- Sometimes limp because of pain
What can a podiatrist do?
- Examination of foot position and walking behaviour
- Advise on suitable shoes with good cushioning
- Fitting orthotics to reduce pressure on the heel
- Giving exercises to strengthen calf muscles and keep them supple
- Cold compresses
- Ultrasound (referral): Ultrasound can be used to examine the soft tissues around the heel, including the growth plate.
- X-ray (referral): X-rays can be used to look at the bone structure of the heel. This can help confirm whether Morbus Sever is present and rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
Recovery
Recovery consists of reducing pain and avoiding overuse. With rest, appropriate loading and good support, Morbus Sever can usually improve within a few weeks to months. Preventive measures help prevent recurrence and allow children to move pain-free again.