Sever's disease is a common condition affecting the growth plate in the heel of children, more prevalent in boys than girls. The age range is between 8 and 15 years. Symptoms often manifest as a sharp or burning sensation in the heel, which can make even normal walking painful. In some cases, this even leads to children having to stop their sports or daily activities.

The Core of the Problem
The problem arises because the heel bone in children is not yet one solid piece. There is a growth plate in between; the back part of the heel is, as it were, still 'loose' from the rest of the bone. It is soft cartilage that still needs to harden into strong bone.

Because that small piece of heel bone is not yet fully attached, it is extremely sensitive to tensile forces. The Achilles tendon and plantar fascia under the foot are precisely attached to that loose part and pull on it with every step. This creates pressure on the growth plate, causing it to become irritated.

Hard Surfaces and Sports
This heel pain primarily emerges during sports such as football, hockey, tennis, or other sports played on a hard surface (such as artificial turf or an indoor court). Without proper support, the growth plate experiences an enormous impact with every sprint, jump, or step, which only increases the irritation.

The Insidious Course of the Pain
What makes it extra difficult for both parents and children is how the pain manifests:

• During sports: It's often manageable. The body is warm, and adrenaline suppresses the pain a bit, allowing the child to often continue.
• After sports: That's when the impact comes. As soon as the body rests and cools down, the heel starts to ache significantly. The discomfort is then many times greater than during the activity itself. Children at this point often start to walk on their toes to completely relieve the painful heel.

This is the direct signal from the body saying: "Hold on, the foundation isn't dry yet, I need support!" .

To ensure that this foundation becomes less irritated, ZOL provides the necessary cushioning and stabilizing base in the shoes. This way, we absorb the shocks, so they can go full throttle again.