Growth plate pain in heel
Also Known As: Sever's disease, calcaneal apophysitis, heel apophysitis, youth heel pain
What It Feels Like
Pain at the back and bottom of the heel, often on both sides or centered at the growth plate
Worse during or after running, jumping, or sport — and often first thing in the morning
A classic sign is squeezing the heel from both sides and reproducing pain
Most common in active youth ages 8–15, often during or just after a growth spurt
Why It Happens
During a growth spurt, the heel bone (calcaneus) can grow faster than the calf and Achilles, creating tension at the growth plate where the tendon attaches. High sport volume and hard surfaces amplify that stress, leading to irritation and pain.
Common Causes of Growth Plate Heel Pain in Youth
🔹 Sever's Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
The most common cause in active youth ages 8–15. During growth spurts, the heel bone grows faster than the surrounding soft tissue, creating tension and irritation at the growth plate.
🔹 Tight Achilles-Calf Complex
A rapidly growing calf muscle can become relatively tight, increasing traction stress on the growth plate at every step or jump.
🔹 High Training Load or Surface Changes
Increases in sport volume, transitioning to harder surfaces (turf to track), or multi-sport overlap during the same season often trigger symptoms.
🔹 Footwear
Cleats, minimalist shoes, or worn footwear without adequate heel cushioning can reduce shock absorption and increase impact load at the growth plate.
Did You Know?
Sever's disease is not actually a disease — it's a traction apophysitis, meaning the Achilles tendon is pulling on the growth plate faster than it can adapt. Most kids outgrow it once the growth plate closes around age 15, but load management and calf flexibility work can meaningfully reduce how long and how severely it affects activity.
How Zenith Can Help
At Zenith, Jenn Randall and Mariel Hammond specialize in youth athletes and are experienced in managing growth-related injuries like Sever's. We help young athletes stay as active as possible while the heel heals — reducing load in the right places, building calf and foot strength, and guiding a return to full sport participation without prolonged sideline time.
Next Steps
Growth plate heel pain in kids responds well to early, targeted intervention. If your child has been dealing with heel pain for more than a week or two during sport, a pediatric PT evaluation at Zenith can confirm the source and build a plan to keep them playing.
Youth athletes in Eugene playing multi-sport seasons — especially soccer, basketball, or track — are at higher risk during growth spurts. If your kid starts limping off the field or waking up sore in the heel, early management is much better than pushing through until the season ends.