[Severs disease: common source of talalgia in children]

This article presents 4 cases of osteochondrosis of the calcaneus monitored in the pediatric orthopedic trauma department of the Childrens hospital of Rabat in Morocco. Damage to the secondary ossification center of the calcaneus caused by repeated microtraumas represents a frequent cause of talalgia in children aged 7 to 15. This condition called Calcaneal apophysitis or Severs disease is considered benign as it is cured in all cases without sequelae. This disease presents as mechanical pain triggered or aggravated by sports localized in the heel with an examination which often does not reveal much suggesting the diagnosis; the purpose of the radiographic examination is only to rule out another lesion of the calcaneus. Its outcome is always favorable thanks to a very simple medical treatment and it requires temporarily stopping participation in sports as well as wearing pads to cushion or correct a morphological problem of the foot. In conclusion Severs disease is an osteochondrosis of growth of the posterior apophysis of the calcaneus affecting older children and young adolescents. Although the prognosis is always favorable supportive medical measures should not be neglected which permits shortening this condition and preventing absenteeism which can be harmful to the child in this period of life.