What to Do If Your Child Has Heel Pain During Sports

At Dallas Podiatry Works, we love to see families encourage their kids to be active. Even if your little one doesn’t much care for organized sports, vigorous outdoor play is good for developing healthy bodies and minds. Plus, most kids seem to have boundless energy anyway!

Unfortunately, that energy can be sapped quite quickly if your child begins struggling with heel pain, especially as a result of sports or athletic activity. Heel pain can be very distressing for both children and parents, as it stops your little one from engaging in activities they typically enjoy.

The good news is that most cases of sports-related heel pain in children are temporary and can be resolved with conservative care. However, it’s still very important to seek out treatment right away. Heel pain that goes undiagnosed and untreated while kids continue to play can lead to chronic complications.

If your child’s heels hurt from soccer, basketball, or other sports or active play, bring them in to see the team at Dallas Podiatry Works. Most of the time in these situations, the problem is an injury to the growth plate in the heel bone—also known as calcaneal apophysitis, or Sever’s disease. The growth plate is an exposed, softer area of bone tissue, and doesn’t reach full maturity until around age 15 (give or take a few years). It is especially vulnerable during growth spurts, and participation is sports is a major risk factor for injury.

At a minimum, your child may have to take a break from sports for a few days to a few weeks in order to give their heels a chance to recover. Depending on the results of our examination, we may recommend other treatment options as well. This could include things like icing the heel to control swelling, performing calf stretches and other exercises to reduce pulling and pressure on the growth plate, buying your child a better pair of shoes, or prescribing an appropriate prefabricated or custom orthotic device to provide additional support and cushioning.

With the proper corrective and preventative treatments in place, your child will be back on the field soon, and eventually they will grow out of the condition as they age. If your child is in pain, limping, or struggling through their favorite sports or activities, give us a call today at 972.853.7100.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.