If your child has started limping after football training or complaining that their heels hurt after running around, you are not imagining things. Heel pain in children is one of the most common conditions we see at our Stillorgan and Dublin 11 clinics. It can be worrying when your active child suddenly cannot keep up with their friends. The good news is that most childhood heel pain has a clear cause and responds well to the right treatment. This post explains what causes heel pain in children, what symptoms to watch for, how it is treated, and when you should see a podiatrist.
What causes heel pain in children?
The most common cause of heel pain in children is a condition called Sever’s disease. Despite the name, it is not actually a disease. It is a growth plate irritation that happens when the heel bone grows faster than the muscles and tendons around it.
Children have a growth plate at the back of the heel called the calcaneal apophysis. During growth spurts, typically between ages 8 and 14, this area is vulnerable to stress. The Achilles tendon attaches here, and every time your child runs, jumps, or pushes off, it pulls on this developing bone.
The problem comes down to load versus tissue capacity. When the demands placed on the heel exceed what the growing tissues can handle, pain develops. This is why active children who play sport are most affected. Football, GAA, athletics, basketball, and gymnastics all involve repeated impact and pushing movements.
Other contributing factors include tight calf muscles, rapid increases in training volume, and unsupportive footwear. A child who suddenly joins a new team or increases their activity level is at higher risk. Hard playing surfaces can also add to the stress on the heel.
What are the symptoms of heel pain in children?
Children with Sever’s disease typically feel pain at the back or bottom of the heel. The pain is usually worse during and after physical activity. Your child might limp during or after sport, or they might walk on their toes to avoid putting pressure on the heel.
Morning stiffness is common. Your child may hobble for the first few steps out of bed. The pain often eases with rest but returns as soon as they become active again. Squeezing the sides of the heel usually reproduces the pain.
Some children try to push through, which can make things worse. If your child is avoiding activities they normally love, limping regularly, or complaining of heel pain that lasts more than a week or two, it is time to have it assessed. Early treatment prevents the cycle of pain, rest, return, and re-injury that frustrates so many young athletes.
How is heel pain in children treated at Foot Focus Podiatry?
At Foot Focus Podiatry, every child with heel pain receives a thorough assessment. This includes a detailed history, muscle and joint testing, and baseline strength measurements. For ongoing or recurring cases, gait analysis on our Gait and Motion Footscan pressure plate captures thousands of data points showing exactly how forces move through your child’s foot.
Treatment follows our four stage recovery model. Stage one focuses on immediate pain relief through padding, strapping, or Class IV laser therapy to calm the irritated tissues. Stage two introduces strength exercises designed to build tissue capacity in the calf and foot. Stage three involves progressive loading, gradually increasing activity while monitoring pain trends. Stage four returns your child to their chosen sport with a maintenance programme and education to prevent recurrence.
Our CORU-registered podiatrists do not simply tell children to rest and wait. Complete rest rarely solves the problem because it does not address the underlying mismatch between load and tissue capacity. Instead, we modify activity to acceptable levels while actively building strength.
Most children see significant improvement within four to eight weeks when they follow the programme. The goal is not just pain relief but long-term resilience so your child can play without ongoing problems.
You can find out more about how we treat heel pain in children at our Dublin clinics on our children’s foot health page.
What parents in Stillorgan are asking about heel pain in children
Q: Does my child need an X-ray for heel pain?
A: Most childhood heel pain does not require an X-ray. A podiatrist can diagnose Sever’s disease through a physical examination. X-rays may be recommended if there is concern about a fracture or if the presentation is unusual, but this is not routine for typical growth-related heel pain.
Q: Should my child stop playing sport completely?
A: Complete rest is usually not necessary or helpful. Activity modification works better. Your child may need to reduce training volume or intensity temporarily while building strength. The aim is to keep them active at a level their tissues can tolerate, then gradually return to full participation.
Q: Will my child grow out of heel pain?
A: Sever’s disease does resolve once the growth plate fully closes, usually by age 15 or 16. However, waiting years for natural resolution means unnecessary pain and missed sport. Proper treatment helps children stay active and comfortable now rather than sitting on the sidelines.
Q: Can orthotics help with my child’s heel pain?
A: Orthotics can be helpful in some cases as part of a broader treatment plan. At Foot Focus, we use Phits 3D printed orthotics made from individual Footscan pressure data when clinically indicated. However, orthotics are never prescribed in isolation. They support a structured strength and mobility programme rather than replacing it.
When should you see a podiatrist in Dublin?
Book an appointment if your child has heel pain that lasts more than one to two weeks, limps during or after activity, walks on their toes to avoid heel contact, or has stopped playing sport because of foot pain. Pain that wakes your child at night or is present even at rest should be assessed promptly.
Do not wait for the pain to become severe. Early assessment leads to faster recovery and less time away from the activities your child enjoys. If you are based in Stillorgan, Blackrock, or the surrounding Dublin 14 area, our Mount Merrion clinic is convenient. Families across Dublin 11 can visit our Finglas clinic. Book online at footfocus.ie or call us directly.
CONCLUSION: Heel pain in children is common, treatable, and does not have to mean months on the sidelines. With the right assessment and a structured recovery plan, most children return to full activity within weeks. Foot Focus Podiatry is one of Dublin’s largest podiatry providers, with clinics in Finglas and Mount Merrion ready to help your child get back to doing what they love. Book online at footfocus.ie or call us today.