Thread: Planar Fasciitis, Sever's Disease or ?

She is 12. Until she gets to the doctor, I wouldn't take her to practice. If she has been running in her cleats, that could very well be the cause of her pain. I see it a lot. Plus, if she is only running once a week, that could cause problems. She wouldn't be developing any endurance and would be starting over, week to week.

Also, does she wear flip flops, a lot? They are terrible on feet. (my opinion, only)

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

Yes, she has been running in her cleats at practice and the start of twice-weekly outdoor practices and lots of running in her (new) cleats coincided with the start of her pain. They also run a lot in PE, but I've sent in a note on that. Like jazz1ONE's DD, mine is a heel runner. I was a sprinter and it drives me crazy to see, but she just can't or won't run up on her toes and the balls of her feet.

She usually wears tennis shoes outside and goes around in stocking feet at home, but I've started making her at least wear slides or slippers in the house.

The doctor said her heel pain is Sever's disease aka calcaneal apophysitis. She gave me referral for a Physical Therapist.

Shoot

I do not know if it all the same thing, only can speak on experience with DD.

DD was in a walking boot for a few months last year. After removing the boot she stated limping around again. C is off limits to her, too much stress on her foot. Her softball managers have not done a lot of running drills so it has not become an Issue during practice. We have asked her to be excluded from some Basket Ball drills.

Sometimes she is the fastest player on the Team, other times it looks like she is running with a piano on her back. DD is really stubborn so it is hard to gage how much pain she is in.

No experience with Sever's so I won't comment on that.

If, however, it is plantar I would highly recommend you find an ART practitioner (Active Release Therapy). After about a year of home remedies I found a chiro in my area who did ART and cleared it up in two sessions. I also started wearing toe shoes (fila skeletoes) and that helped my feet as well.

I would also say just watch how the girls run. This may just be my team but most of girls hate to run and put very little effort into what they are doing. Most are completely upright while running and land squarely on their heals with each foot strike. I have not had much success in getting them into a better body position and to focus on landing on the fore foot but it's something to think about.

I've told her coach about the Sever's and asked that she not do the team runs. I'm fine with her doing something like push-ups, etc. instead, though I'm sure she'd rather get a complete pass. :-D

She seemed to be in pain a few times during the one practice we've been at since the diagnosis. She has another practice tonight; I'm thinking of giving her an Advil on the way. She also has an appointment with a physical therapist next week, so we'll see what happens there. She definitely does still run upright, landing on her heels, despite my urgings to run on the balls of her feet instead.

Originally Posted by MsDinosaur

I'm fine with her doing something like push-ups

Pushups are no go for DD unless she does them on her knees. Ask questions to therapist what is ok and not ok for her to do.

Originally Posted by MsDinosaur

Given that Sever's is painful, but not permanent, I'm expecting that DD will want to suck it up and play hurt. Am I a bad Mom for thinking she should do this?

It was the choice my DD made so I obviously think it is OK.

Want to mention again that the pain and limping seem to come and go. She needs to know that even though she is giving her best effort her body might not always respond, not her fault.

Thanks, Quincy! Her therapist had her practicing her stance last night and taped up her ankles. We have two pool games tonight, so we'll see what happens!