Heel Pain

[lifeboat]

My son (13years of age a few days ago) has had pain in his left heel for some considerable time. As there was no obvious signs of damage i put it down to growing pains. However, he was clearly in paid so i took him to the doctors 2 months ago. The doctor said he may have a condition (cant recal what it was called but think it ended in 'itus') but said that this was unusual for someone of his age as it normally occured later in life. The doctor suggested i purchase a heel pad for his shoe.
I did this and within a few days the pain had gone and he was able to carry on through the day with no pain. It was a fantastic.

The last few days the pain has come back and he is suffering as before, despite wearing the pad.

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be and/or suggestions of how to help him?

He is an average size child, although he is smaller in height to his peers and is hoping for a growth spurt, he is not overweight and does not have any medical problems, he plays football twice a week and apart from this does not do any other sport, although kicks a ball around at school.

[DrJim]

The condition the doctor diagnosed your son with may be have been called: Calcaneal Apophysitis. This condition is somewhat common in children and has to due with as you say growing pains. Basically, the growth center of the calcaneus (heel pain) is on the back side/towards the Achilles tendon. Sometimes, the Achilles tendon willl become very tight and actually irritate this region causing inflammation and severe pain upon exercise. The heel pad can help take some pressure off of the tendon and reduce tension on the heel bone. Since the pain has returned, I would suggest X-Rays to acurrately diagnosis this condition, if in fact this is the condition, would then suggest an orthotic to not only relieve tension on the Achilles tendon, but also to help any abnormal motion in the midfoot region which may be contributing to his pain.