Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Sever's Disease
Heel pain in growing children
Sever's disease is the most common cause of heel pain in active children, caused by inflammation of the growth plate at the back of the heel during growth spurts. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Sever's disease is one of many foot & ankle conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Sever's disease is heel pain from an irritated growth plate. It settles with rest, heel cups, and stretching, and goes away for good when the growth plate closes.
- We explain the plan at every step, including how to manage flare-ups and when your child can return to sports.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is Sever's disease?
Sever's disease is the most common cause of heel pain in active children, caused by inflammation of the growth plate at the back of the heel during growth spurts. Symptoms usually build gradually with running and jumping, so early evaluation matters when heel pain starts to limit play.
Sever's disease is treated without surgery and goes away for good once the heel's growth plate closes. Care focuses on easing pain in the meantime: cutting back on running and jumping when it hurts, gel heel cups or cushioned shoes, calf stretching, and ice after activity. Severe cases may need a short time in a walking boot. Steroid injections are not used for this condition.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose Sever's disease, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Sever's Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
This isn't a true disease. It's a painful heel condition that affects growing children. It's an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone (called the "calcaneus"). Growth plates are places where new bone forms as bones grow and lengthen.
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn't match the way your foot is built.
Symptoms and causes of Sever's disease
Common symptoms
- Heel pain (usually both heels) that worsens with activity
- Limping after sports
- Tenderness when squeezing the back of the heel
- Pain improves with rest
Common causes
- Growth spurts (typically ages 8 to 14)
- Tight calf muscles
- High-impact sports (soccer, basketball, gymnastics)
- Flat or high-arched foot type
How we diagnose Sever's disease
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for Sever's disease typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the foot & ankle: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan for easing the pain and getting your child back to activity, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat Sever's disease at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Simple measures that ease heel pain and keep your child active while the growth plate matures.
- Cutting back on running and jumping while it hurts
- Gel heel cups or cushioned, supportive shoes
- Calf and Achilles stretching
- Ice after activity
- Short time in a walking boot for severe pain
Further evaluation
If neededIf pain does not settle
Sever's disease does not need surgery. If symptoms are unusual or do not improve, we look for another cause.
- X-rays to rule out a fracture or other bone problem
- MRI when the diagnosis is uncertain
- Evaluation for other causes of heel pain
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the foot & ankle that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the foot & ankle, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the foot & ankle.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Foot and ankle considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Care for Sever's disease starts here
Don't let Sever's disease be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether your child needs rest, heel cups, stretching, or a short time in a walking boot, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a foot & ankle specialist in Los Angeles.
Common Sever's disease questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. Sever's disease is usually diagnosed from the exam alone, including a gentle squeeze of the heel. X-rays can be done in-office when we need to rule out another cause of heel pain. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
Booking now
21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network