To explain how Sever’s is caused, we must first explain that while bones are growing, they have areas called ‘growth plates’ at the bone ends. This is where new bone is added so that our bones grow bigger. When we reach full maturity and stop growing, these growth plates turn to solid bone. While they’re present, however, growth plates are more vulnerable to damage than the surrounding bone.
Sever’s is caused by an irritated growth plate at the back of the heel. Often, this is due to a tight or overused achilles tendon that repeatedly pulls on the back of the heel. It may also occur from impact to the heel bone itself, like from running on hard surfaces. The cause of a tight or tense achilles tendon in kids includes:
