WAG Question about Severs

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DD has Severs. It flares up occasionally. She uses the Xbrace and Oscon supplement. The Xbrace ALL the time, and Oscon as needed.

 

[leotardmakermum]

My daughter had pain from severs for most of last year. She was in a boot for a couple of months. NOTHING we did seemed to make any difference - only time and waiting. It got her REALLY down. She could still train bars and beam, but was allowed no impacts of any kind. It was almost better by the end of the year and then she had a fall and injured the same heel again. We're still trying to ascertain whether it is severs, or a fracture. She's been in pain at levels of 7/10 for weeks (10 being your leg being pulled off). Nothing seems to make it any better, but a lot makes it worse. I just wish I could wave my magic wand.

We have tried and still use many of these treatments (though I wonder if they have any effect at all):
regular ice - both icepacks and ice baths.
topical anti-inflammatory cream
no impact, running etc, modified gym program
crutches (with and without weight bearing)
boot
compression at night
massage
X braces
taping arches and heel
heel cups in shoes
cheetah cups for training
short courses of oral anti-inflammatory pain killers (on specialist sports doctor's advice only)
stretching (under the instruction of a physiotherapist)

Severs can be completely horrible. Lots of coaches don't seem to understand how bad and constant it can be, because for many gymnasts it isn't. "Can't you just stand on it?"

At the moment she's really down about it, and so am I. I just want it to go away. I'm fed up with seeing my child in pain and being seemingly unable to help her. She's fed up with being in pain.

I'm sorry that your child is experiencing it. I hope that it clears up quickly for her. You have my very best wishes.

 

[Quadqueen]

I've never heard of a boot or cast for Severs. My DD had it from about 8-10, off and on. Yes, it comes and goes. Heel cups helped a little. We tried the Oscon - saw no noticeable improvement.

 

[wrzos]

My 8 year old dd has it, and wears the cheetah on the floor, and cups in her shoes the rest of the time. When first diagnosed, we were faithful with the icing and stretching (plus some massage of the area). She complained more about the treatment than the severs, so I've given up. Told her if it hurts bad enough to complain, then she needs to ice/stretch/massage it. She has been quiet about it (but wearing her cups!) for almost a month now...

 

[B.Gold]

I've never heard of a boot or cast for Severs. My DD had it from about 8-10, off and on. Yes, it comes and goes. Heel cups helped a little. We tried the Oscon - saw no noticeable improvement.

A couple of people on here have said this so I would like to address it. Although my DD progressed to a more extreme case of severs, her boot really helped her with pain management. It offered support in her heel that she said really helped. And her Dr advised us to hang onto the boot and have her throw it back on if symptoms reoccer.

Something I failed to mention in my first post was the amount of stretching my DDs therapist had her do of her Achilles and calves. She did these stretches daily. Twice a day. That also seemed to be key.

@leotardmakermum I am so sorry your DD is suffering so much from this. I hope it resolves soon. I can only imagine your frustration.

 

[gasrgoose]

A couple of people on here have said this so I would like to address it. Although my DD progressed to a more extreme case of severs, her boot really helped her with pain management. It offered support in her heel that she said really helped. And her Dr advised us to hang onto the boot and have her throw it back on if symptoms reoccer.

Something I failed to mention in my first post was the amount of stretching my DDs therapist had her do of her Achilles and calves. She did these stretches daily. Twice a day. That also seemed to be key.

@leotardmakermum I am so sorry your DD is suffering so much from this. I hope it resolves soon. I can only imagine your frustration.

^^^^^^^^^
Stretching twice a day, massaging while stretching and using the boot/foot brace were keys for us also. The boot also holds the foot in a flexed position that keeps the achilles from tightening as it does while their toes are pointed. Most of the girls i know who've had or have severs walk on their toes to lessen the pain on their heals. Doing this actually makes Severs worse because it continues to let the calf and achilles tighten. The stretching and massaging can be somewhat painful but ultimately lessen the severity of Severs. There's a good video on you tube about massaging calves and achilles particularly related to gymnasts.

 

[2gymmies]

I agree with everything that was said and wanted to add - do not let her wear Uggs or slides or any shoes other than good fitting tennis shoes with good arch and foot support. We did have luck with the Oscon but it took 2 to 4 weeks. Hope your dd is better quickly!