According to the Southern California Orthopedic Institute, Sever's disease is a condition that causes pain where the Achilles tendon attaches, close to the back of the heel. This disease is commonly seen in active children ages 8 to 15 years old. Sever's disease is frequently associated with rapid growth spurts. As the bone grows, the muscles and tendons become tight. Heel and calf strengthening exercises can be beneficial for those with Sever's disease. You should always consult a doctor before beginning an exercise program for Sever's disease.
Resistance Band Exercise
According to the Sports Injury Clinic, pushing against a resistance band is a gentle exercise for Sever's disease. While seated in a chair, loop a resistance band around the ball of your foot. Use the resistance band to apply light resistance as you point your foot away from your body. Do two sets of 10 repetitions once a day. If you are pain free the following day, increase your sets and repetitions. Build up to three sets of 20 repetitions a day.
Seated Calf Raise
Sit on the edge of a chair and raise your legs up onto your toes to do a seated calf raise, according to the Sports Injury Clinic. The exercise will help to strengthen the muscles in your feet. To increase the resistance of your calf raises, you can place a light weight on your knees. Begin this exercise with two sets of 10 repetitions and increase sets over a period of a few days. You should be able to increase to three sets of 10 repetitions, provided you are experiencing no pain.
Standing Calf Raise
Don't do this exercise until you can do a seated calf raise without any pain. Stand with your forefoot on the edge of a step and rise up and down on your toes. You should feel a stretch in your calf muscles. Complete one set of 10 repetitions twice a day. You should gradually increase to three sets of 20 repetitions daily. To increase intensity, complete the calf raises as single-leg calf raises according, to the Sports Injury Clinic.
Walking Calf Raises
A walking calf raise is performed by walking around and pushing up onto the toes with each step you take, according to the Sports Injury Clinic. Start by taking 20 steps of calf raises. Gradually increase so that you are able to complete 100 walking calf raises each day.
