The most common cause of pediatric heel pain is a condition called calcaneal apophysitis, usually affecting children between the ages of 9 and 13 years old. During this phase of life, growth of the bones occurs at a faster rate than growth of the tendons and ligaments.
In children, the heel bone (the calcaneus) is not yet fully developed until age 14 or older. Until then, new bone is forming at the growth plate (the apophysis), a weak area located at the back of the heel. Repetitive stress on the growth plate (due to walking, running and sports) causes inflammation in the heel area.
This condition is called Calcaneal apophysitis (also known as Sever's Disease) and is the most common cause of heel pain in children.
Because the heel's growth plate is sensitive to repeated running and pounding on hard surfaces, pediatric heel pain often reflects high activity. Children and adolescents involved in football, crickets running, or basketball are especially vulnerable.
Over-pronation (fallen arches and rolling inwards of the feet) will increase the stress on the the growth plate and is therefore a major contributing factor to heel pain in children.
