Introduction
Is your child limping after sport, or refusing to walk because of heel pain? Heel pain in children is more common than most parents realise — and it is almost always treatable without surgery or rest alone. The most frequent cause in active, growing children is Sever's disease, a temporary but painful inflammation of the heel's growth plate. At The Rehab Street, our paediatric orthotists assess the root cause of your child's heel pain and provide targeted orthotic and gait therapy — helping them return to school, sport and play faster and with confidence.
What Causes Heel Pain in Children?
Children's feet are not simply small adult feet. Between the ages of 8 and 14, growth plates in the heel bone (calcaneus) are still developing — making them vulnerable to stress, overuse, and biomechanical problems. The most common causes include:
Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis) accounts for up to 60–70% of all paediatric heel pain cases seen in orthopaedic clinics. It is not a disease in the traditional sense — it is a stress reaction at the growth plate where the Achilles tendon attaches. Active children who suddenly increase their training load, play on hard surfaces, or wear unsupportive footwear are most at risk.
When Should You See a Specialist?
Many parents wait, hoping the pain will pass. But early assessment leads to faster recovery and prevents secondary problems like gait changes and knee pain. Book an appointment if you notice:
Pain that is ignored can lead to compensatory walking patterns — your child may start walking on their toes or rolling inward to offload the heel — creating new problems at the knee, hip and lower back.
How We Assess Heel Pain at The Rehab Street
Our assessment is thorough, child-friendly, and takes approximately 45–60 minutes. No GP referral is required.
Step 1 — History & Lifestyle Review
We talk to you and your child about when the pain started, what activities aggravate it, footwear choices, and growth history.
Step 2 — Visual Gait Analysis
We observe your child walking and running (where age-appropriate), looking for overpronation, toe-walking, limping or asymmetric loading.
Step 3 — Biomechanical Examination
Range of motion at the ankle, subtalar joint, and knee; muscle tightness (especially Achilles and calf); foot posture assessment.
Step 4 — Pressure Mapping (where indicated)
Digital plantar pressure analysis shows exactly where your child's foot is overloading — a key tool for designing the right orthotic.
Step 5 — Report & Treatment Plan
You receive a clear written report with findings, diagnosis, and a personalised treatment roadmap — in plain language.
Heel Pain Treatment Options for Children
Treatment is always tailored to the child's age, activity level, and the root cause identified at assessment. We typically use a combination of:
1. Custom Paediatric Foot Orthotics
A custom insole addresses the underlying biomechanical driver — overpronation, leg length difference, or Achilles tightness. Unlike off-the-shelf cushion insoles, a custom orthotic controls the position of the heel bone, reducing stress on the growth plate. Orthotics are typically worn for 3–6 months, and many children are pain-free within 4–6 weeks.
2. Heel Raise / Heel Cups
A temporary heel raise reduces tension on the Achilles tendon and growth plate immediately — providing fast pain relief while the underlying problem is addressed. These are often used as a bridge treatment at the start of care.
3. Footwear Advice & Modification
The wrong shoes are a major contributor to paediatric heel pain. We review your child's current footwear and recommend specific features — heel counter stiffness, cushioning level, and toe box width — suited to their foot type and activities.
4. Stretching & Strengthening Programme
A home exercise plan targeting the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and calf muscles. Takes less than 10 minutes per day and is designed for children to do independently — with parent supervision.
5. Activity Modification Guidance
We do not simply tell children to stop sport. We advise on load management — which activities to continue, which to temporarily reduce, and how to return to full training safely. Most children continue modified sport participation throughout treatment.
Why Choose The Rehab Street for Your Child's Heel Pain?
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Specialist paediatric orthotists — trained to assess growing feet
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No GP referral needed — book directly
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Custom orthotics fabricated in-clinic — faster turnaround
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Clinics in South Delhi and Gurgaon for convenience
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Child-friendly environment — assessments are calm and unhurried
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Outcomes tracked across follow-up appointments
Related Conditions & Services
→ Intoeing & Outtoeing in Children
→ Delayed Milestone Treatment in Children
→ Book a Paediatric Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. At what age does heel pain in children typically start?
Most cases of Sever's disease appear between 8 and 13 years — coinciding with rapid growth spurts and peak sports participation. Boys are slightly more affected than girls due to higher average activity levels at this age, though girls in gymnastics, dance, or athletics are equally at risk.
Q2. Is Sever's disease serious?
Despite the word 'disease', Sever's is not dangerous and does not cause long-term damage to the heel. It resolves naturally when the growth plate closes — usually by age 15. However, playing through the pain without treatment can cause compensatory gait problems that do persist. Prompt orthotic intervention speeds recovery significantly.
Q3. Should my child stop playing sport?
Not necessarily. We aim to keep children active through load management — modifying the type, duration, and intensity of activity, combined with orthotic support. Total rest is rarely required and often makes things worse by weakening the muscles that protect the heel.
Q4. Will custom orthotics fit inside school shoes and sport shoes?
Yes. We design orthotics with your child's regular footwear in mind. We'll ask you to bring their main school shoes and sport shoes to the appointment, and we profile the insole to fit correctly in both.
Q5. How long does heel pain in children take to resolve?
With appropriate orthotic support and activity modification, most children experience significant pain reduction within 4–6 weeks. Full resolution typically takes 8–12 weeks. Children with flatter feet or higher training volumes may need a longer course of orthotic wear.
Q6. Can heel pain in children be prevented?
Partially. Good quality footwear, regular Achilles stretching, and avoiding sudden spikes in training load all reduce risk. Children who are identified with flat feet or overpronation early and fitted with orthotics often avoid developing heel pain altogether.
Q7. Do you see children from outside Delhi and Gurgaon?
Yes — we see patients from across the Delhi NCR region including Noida, Faridabad, and Greater Noida. Both our clinic locations are accessible by metro, and we can advise on the nearest option when you book.
Our Clinics
The Rehab Street — South Delhi | B-1/629, First Floor, Janakpuri, New Delhi – 110058 | +91-9354919385
The Rehab Street — Gurgaon | SCO 15, Sector 14, Gurgaon, Haryana – 122001 | +91-9354919385