calcaneal epiphysitis

calcaneal epiphysitis,

a painful disorder involving the calcaneus at its epiphysis. The condition tends mainly to affect children who are physically active and whose heel bones are still divided by a layer of cartilage. The stress of jumping and other athletic activities may break the union of the bone segments at the cartilage layer. Treatment may require immobilization of the foot in a cast. Also called Sever's disease.