Diagnosing Sever Disease: Overview Of The Literature

Abstract

Calcaneal apophysitis is a condition known also sever disease. Recent knowledge supports overuse injury as an underlying etiology. The typical presentation is bilateral or unilateral heel pain during an activity in an adolescent who had a history of new-onset sports activity. We should take a detailed history, careful examination and simple laboratory tests for the patients with painful heels. If the patient's symptoms and examinations fit with calcaneal apophysitis some authors believe no need for radiography, unlike routine practice. MRI and ultrasound can also provide helpful diagnostic images but are neither cost-effective nor easy accessible at the first stage. We need to improve our knowledge and confidence in the clinical workup. Obviously further investigations require to reveal an ideal diagnostic algorithm.