My Son's Heel Pain

My son just started football with the Naples Gators. He came home complaining of posterior heel pain during and right after football. Luckily his mom is a podiatrist and I new exactly what to do. Robert's symptoms are consistent with apophysitis or inflammation of a growth plate specifically in the heel bone or calcaneus. Posterior heel pain in kids, active kids especially is very common. After a week of childrens' Motrin, stretching and gel heel cups Robert's only complaints are all the new bumps and bruises from Naples Gators tackle football.
Unfortunately, for some children more aggressive treatment is required including physical therapy, immobilization, and activity modification. With fall sports starting her in Naples Florida, keep an eye on your children and seek medical care heel pain symptoms linger longer than a week. Go Naples Gators!