As childhood obesity skyrockets, video game consoles seek for ways to make their games "active" and obesity related diseases such as diabetes is at epidemic levels, athletics is a blessing to many children. Since children are less likely today (compared to 20 years ago) to run outside, ride bikes or play sports in the streets, more children are becoming active in sports from soccer and football to gymnastics and dance. This increased activity has improved the health of many children, but sometimes is accompanied by heel or ankle pain.
When a child between the age of 9-14 in girls or 9-16 in boys presents to my office complaining of either heel pain or ankle pain, the cause is usually the same. The entity is commonly known as Severs Disease or Calcaneal Apophysitis. This is a disease of growing bone and therefore only presents in children during their stages of active growth. Let me explain some.
In a growing bone, there is a region called the physis that consists of cartilaginous tissue instead of calcified bone. As the bone grows, this allows expansion and calcification at the edges to help produce this growth. As the bone reaches full growth potential, the physis is calcified and replaced by healthy bone. This physis, however can be affected by pressure or tension and can become painful.
In calcaneal apophysitis, the growth plate of the heel bone (or calcaneus) receives tension during sports from the Achilles tendon (the strongest tendon in the body). This pressure causes increased stress, swelling and associated pain to the posterior heel area close to where the Achilles tendon attaches. The pain is caused by stretching of the physis or apophysis of the heel from a tight Achilles tendon during running. This pain can be problematic and significantly interfere with activities, and over the years has even stopped many from playing the sports they love. Although the severe pain may limit activities for years, it ultimately resolves when the bone stops growing. This is no longer the case. There are treatment options that can alleviate the pain and maintain the active lifestyle required to help our children remain healthy.
Calcaneal apophysitis or Severs Disease was once a disease of boys playing soccer. With the increased competition levels in all sports including dance and gymnastics, we are encountering this problem in boys and girls when they are active. Think calcaneal apophysitis whenever your child is in the age range of 9 - 16 and complains of heel pain, especially when running or being active in sports. Get treatment from a foot and ankle specialist and help alleviate the pain associated with the exercise our children enjoy. Don't make them stop their sport because of foot pain, help them resolve the pain while they await calcification of the growth plate and complete resolution of their symptoms.
"Walking is great exercise and one of the most reliable forms of transportation," says Marybeth Crane, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon with Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas, LLP in Grapevine, Texas. "But if your feet aren't in the best shape or you don't have the right shoes, too much walking can cause foot problems."
According to Crane, good foot care is essential if you plan to subject your feet to long periods of walking. Some simple foot care tips include:
1. Change your socks often and wear a thick, absorbent type made out of acrylic instead of cotton!
2. Make sure to dry your feet thoroughly after bathing, especially between your toes. Powder and even anti-perspirant, if you sweat a lot, should be used prior to putting on your shoes.
3. Nails should be cut regularly, straight across the toe. Check for ingrown toenails and avoid cutting them too short.
4. Moisturize your feet regularly and watch for athlete's foot fungus infections.
5. Massage any aching muscles after exercise and apply ice to any sore joints for at least 15 minutes.
6. Bunions, hammertoes or any other serious foot problems should be evaluated by a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon prior to your planned vacation. Custom in-shoe orthotics can help balance your feet so your walking vacation can be more enjoyable and pain free!
"The right shoe is also important to healthy walking," say Crane. "The ideal walking shoe should be stable from side to side, and well-cushioned, and it should enable you to walk smoothly. Many running shoes will fit the bill." She adds there are also shoes made specially for walking. Walking shoes tend to be slightly less cushioned, yet not as bulky, and lighter than running shoes. Whether a walking or running shoe, the shoes need to feel stable and comfortable.
Never wear new shoes for the first time on vacation. Always "break them in" for at least a week to make sure the fit is proper and there are no seams rubbing! Blisters can put a damper on a vacation!
Also, two pairs of shoes can be very helpful in making your vacation more comfortable. After a vigorous day walking, your shoes need almost 24 hours to dry out and become more functional.
Warming up exercises to help alleviate any muscle stiffness or pulled muscles is also advised before walking. Stretching your heel cords (Achilles and calf) as well as your thigh muscles before a walk is especially effective.
"If you're not accustomed to long walks, start slowly and rest if your feet start hurting," says Crane. "And above all, have fun."
Both Brandt R Gibson Dpm & Dr Marybeth Crane are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Brandt R Gibson Dpm has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Diabetes Treatment and Pneumonia Causes. Brandt R. Gibson, DPM, MS, a foot and ankle specialist in American Fork, Utah has a goal to educate people and help them "optimize what they were born with." For further educational materials and recommended medical products, visit. Brandt R Gibson Dpm's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Dr Marybeth Crane has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Dr. Marybeth Crane is a marathon runner, mother-of-three, podiatric foot and ankle surgeon. Your feet are the most important part of your body! For more foot health tips or for doctor-approved foot care products, visit my. Dr Marybeth Crane's top article . to your Favourites.