Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo1, Marta E Losa-Iglesias2, David Rodriguez-Sanz3. 1. R. Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, PhD, Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 2. M.E. Losa-Iglesias, PhD, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n 28922, Alcorcón, Spain. marta.losa@urjc.es. 3. D. Rodriguez-Sanz, PhD, Centro Ortopedico y Quirurgico del Pie, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever disease) has been reported to be the most common cause of heel pain in athletic children. OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to compare plantar pressure, plantar surface contact area, distribution of body weight across the lower extremities, and prevalence of gastrocnemius ankle equinus and gastrocnemius-soleus ankle equinus (which can cause decreases in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion) in children with and without Sever disease. DESIGN: This was a case-control study. METHODS: Participants were 56 male students enrolled in a soccer academy. Twenty-eight participants had Sever disease (Sever disease group), and 28 participants were healthy (control group). Dynamic and static peak plantar pressures, plantar surface contact area, and body weight distribution were assessed with pedobarography. A goniometer was used to assess gastrocnemius and gastrocnemius-soleus ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. RESULTS: Both maximum and average peak pressures and percentages of body weight supported by each heel were significantly higher in the symptomatic feet of participants in the Sever disease group than in the control group. Twenty-six participants with Sever disease but only 8 participants in the control group exhibited bilateral gastrocnemius ankle equinus. LIMITATIONS: A limitation of the study is that measurements were obtained from participants who were symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Higher heel plantar pressures under dynamic and static conditions appear to be associated with Sever disease. It is unclear, however, whether these higher pressures are a predisposing factor contributing to the disease or a result of the condition. Gastrocnemius ankle equinus also may be a predisposing factor for Sever disease. Further research is needed to identify other biomechanical factors associated with the disease to enhance prevention and treatment strategies.
BACKGROUND: Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever disease) has been reported to be the most common cause of heel pain in athletic children. OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to compare plantar pressure, plantar surface contact area, distribution of body weight across the lower extremities, and prevalence of gastrocnemius ankle equinus and gastrocnemius-soleus ankle equinus (which can cause decreases in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion) in children with and without Sever disease. DESIGN: This was a case-control study. METHODS:Participants were 56 male students enrolled in a soccer academy. Twenty-eight participants had Sever disease (Sever disease group), and 28 participants were healthy (control group). Dynamic and static peak plantar pressures, plantar surface contact area, and body weight distribution were assessed with pedobarography. A goniometer was used to assess gastrocnemius and gastrocnemius-soleus ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. RESULTS: Both maximum and average peak pressures and percentages of body weight supported by each heel were significantly higher in the symptomatic feet of participants in the Sever disease group than in the control group. Twenty-six participants with Sever disease but only 8 participants in the control group exhibited bilateral gastrocnemius ankle equinus. LIMITATIONS: A limitation of the study is that measurements were obtained from participants who were symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Higher heel plantar pressures under dynamic and static conditions appear to be associated with Sever disease. It is unclear, however, whether these higher pressures are a predisposing factor contributing to the disease or a result of the condition. Gastrocnemius ankle equinus also may be a predisposing factor for Sever disease. Further research is needed to identify other biomechanical factors associated with the disease to enhance prevention and treatment strategies.
Authors: Nuria Sarroca; María José Luesma; José Valero; María Pilar Del Caso; Cristina Alonso; Jorge Calleja; Tania Lorenzo; Javier Bayod; Manuel Lahoz Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2022-05-12 Impact factor: 4.996
Authors: David Rodríguez-Sanz; Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo; Daniel López-López; Cesar Calvo-Lobo; Eva María Martínez-Jiménez; Eduardo Perez-Boal; Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias; Patricia Palomo-López Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2018-11-19 Impact factor: 2.125