Heel pain 7yr old

[youlemming]

My DD has been suffering with heel pain in one foot for a few months, it tends to come and go but while it's there she walks on her toes as hurts to put weight on it.

Saw the doctor yesterday as it's been particularly bad the last few days, he said in an adult he would suspect plantar fasciitis but she's too young and referred her to the physio.

I've had a look online and the most common thing that comes up is Sever's, inflammation in the growth plate. But that seems to affect slightly older children and says it settles in a few weeks to a couple of months, where as this has been on and off for longer.

Tonight she's gone to bed almost in tears as pain relief doesn't work and it's now hurting even without pressure on it.

Has anyone had experience of this and with a child around the same age?

My DS was a bit older (10, I think) when he had Sever's. It's caused by growth spurts, when the muscle grows more slowly than the bone (or the other way round, I can't remember!). His lasted for months and months, on and off, but eventually went away.

But it was very painful for him - I remember going for a walk and DH having to carry him back, because he couldn't walk at all.

Both my kids had Severs. They were 8 or 9. They had special heel inserts from Orthotic Dept at hospital. Your GP can refer you. They were told not to wear completely flat shoes and had permission from school to wear cushioned trainers. (Decent ones!) and I had to put ice (peas!) on their heels while legs were raised every evening. My daughter had it worse and was put on 4x daily Ibuprofen for a few weeks to help with the inflammation. She also didn't do PE at school or walk too much. Then one day she was better!

Thanks for your replies.
The GP has refered her to the physio but hadn't mentioned about Severs or anything else really, but looking myself and reading your expereinces it does seem the most likely cause.

I had issues with inflammation in my hips and knees from 8yrs old, so looks like she's taking after me but in a different area.

We have been resting and icing and she's not doing PE at school at the moment, hopefully we get the appointment through quickly as she always on the go and it will be difficult for her to not do her normal things, especially rugby!