An osteochondrosis of the heel, probably secondary to microfractures in the bone where the Achilles tendon attaches to the posterior calcaneus; an overuse injury and a common cause of heel pain in older children.
Symptoms:
Heel pain
Usually occurs during the growth spurt of adolescence in ages of 8 and 13 for girls and 10 and 15 for boys
Swelling and redness in the heel
Difficulty walking
Discomfort or stiffness in the feet upon awaking
Discomfort when the heel is squeezed on both sides
Unusual walk, such as walking with a limp or on tiptoes to avoid putting pressure on the heel
Symptoms are worse during activity and gets better with rest
Causes:
Inflammation of the growth plate in the heel
The heel bone sometimes grows faster than the leg muscles and tendons. This can cause the muscles and tendons to become very tight and overstretched, making the heel less flexible and putting pressure on the growth plate
