Why Your Child’s Heel Hurts When They Go Back to School

As summer winds down and the new school year begins, your child’s schedule may include more than what their feet can bear. Between heavy backpacks, sports, and a lack of back-to-school shoe shopping, your child can easily develop plantar fasciitis, back pain, and, most importantly, heel pain if you’re not aware of what causes it. In this blog post, we at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center will go over what exactly causes heel pain in kids around the start of school, so that you’ll know exactly how to help them enter the new year.

Increase in Activity

A summer spent in sandals and with a more relaxed schedule can be great, but it can also set the stage for back-to-school heel pain. When your child’s activity level suddenly ramps up with the start of sports practices or a more structured routine, their feet and ankles are put under new stress. The muscles, tendons, and bones haven’t been conditioned for this increase in action, and the heel takes the brunt of it.

This sets the stage for most other causes we discuss below.

Not the Right Shoes

What’s on your child’s feet? Those worn-out sneakers from last year no longer offer the support necessary for school hallways and playgrounds. Similarly, the wrong shoes for an activity, like wearing unsupportive casual flats for a day with gym class, can cause problems.

Heavy Backpacks

The burden of a new school year can be literal. A backpack that is too heavy can change your child’s posture, which changes their gait. The result? Leaning forward and extra pressure on the heel and lower back.

Growth Spurts

During a growth spurt, bones and muscles grow rapidly, and sometimes they don’t grow at the same pace. When the calf muscles and Achilles tendon are tight, they pull on the back of the heel bone. This constant tension (especially when combined with increased activity) can be a major source of pain.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s Disease is often misdiagnosed as “growing pains” because it happens during growth spurts. But a giveaway is if the heel pain is at the back and sides of the heel and gets worse with running or jumping. This inflammation is incredibly common in active, growing children.

Plantar Fasciitis

While more commonly associated with adults, kids and teenagers can get plantar fasciitis. The sharp pain in the heel can be a result of overuse, unsupportive shoes, and tight calf muscles. For kiddos entering a larger school or college kids heading off to big campuses, this is absolutely a possibility.

For more foot care facts and advice, consult Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center in Fairfax County, Virginia, about any podiatric concerns you’re facing. Set up an appointment today to find relief!