Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is an overuse injury to the growth plate at the back of the heel bone (the calcaneus). It’s one of the most common causes of heel pain in growing, active kids.

Here’s the simple explanation: every bone in a child’s body has at least one growth plate, and some have several. The heel bone has a growth plate right where the Achilles tendon attaches. When a child runs, jumps, and repeatedly strikes the ground during sports and play, that repetitive impact and pulling force acts directly on the growth plate. In a growing child, that growth plate is still soft and vulnerable to repetitive stress, and the result is bone irritation and inflammation at the site. That irritation is Sever’s disease.

Acute vs. Chronic Sever’s

Not every case of heel growth-plate irritation looks the same, and it’s important to draw a clear line between two presentations.

Acute Sever’s is the mild, short-lived version. It rarely makes it into a doctor’s office, because it tends to resolve on its own, often lasting no more than about a week, and sometimes only bothering a child for an hour or so after a practice or game before fading. Standard treatments for Sever’s work are great here!

Chronic Sever’s is the version that actually brings children in for a doctor’s evaluation, after basic ice, rest, stretching, and a change of shoes have failed. Its signature feature is that it’s present around the clock: it’s a pain that seems to come and go but never seems to fully resolve. It’s usually described as a dull ache rather than a sharp pain. What makes chronic Sever’s worth addressing isn’t just the discomfort: it’s that kids adapt their gait to avoid it. That often shows up as walking on the outside of the foot, or shifting weight onto the ball of the foot to avoid loading the heel. Those compensations can, in turn, create secondary pain elsewhere in the leg or opposite foot.

The Mikki Device™: A Purpose-Built Solution

The Mikki Device™ is a custom pediatric orthotic system designed and guaranteed to resolve pediatric heel pain in a matter of weeks. This trademarked device directly offloads pressure from the injured growth plate to relieve the heel pain associated with Sever’s disease.

Developed over years of clinical experience by pediatric podiatrist Dr. Jarman, the Mikki Device has proven over the years to crush Sever’s while also supporting proper foot mechanics, reducing stress on the heel growth plate, and keeping kids active and comfortable during recovery.

• Stops pediatric heel pain
• Does not require children to stop sports or activities
• Designed for active, growing children
• Custom-molded for guaranteed pressure distribution and support
• Easy at-home fitting process
• Pediatric specialist designed

Includes easy-to-follow instructions plus text, email, and phone support throughout the fitting process

The Mikki Device™ Sever’s Solution kit is a Sever’s disease treatment designed by a pediatric podiatrist that effectively treats Sever’s disease in children ages 6 to 16. This treatment is proven to completely resolve over 95% of Sever’s disease cases within 4–6 weeks. (The remaining 5% still have Sever’s disease, but other underlying issues are complicating their progress. These children should be evaluated by a pediatric foot and ankle specialist.)

Three Ways to Get Sever’s Relief: Kit Options

🦶 Device Only | Orthotic Replacement
For when you already own a night brace.

📦 Complete Solution Kit | Everything You Need
Orthotics + Night Brace + Full Support.

👨‍⚕️ With Expert Guidance | Personalized Care
Complete Kit + 15-Minute Consultation with Dr. Jarman.

Why Add a Consultation with Dr. Jarman?

Many families find complete relief with a solution kit alone. However, adding Dr. Jarman’s expertise is valuable if:

• Your child has other underlying foot or ankle issues
• You want personalized guidance on fitting and adjustment
• You prefer direct access to the developer for questions
• Your child’s case seems more complex than typical Sever’s

Dr. Jarman brings 20+ years of pediatric orthotics experience and can provide custom recommendations based on your child’s unique needs.