Can Arthritis Cause Heel Pain?

Heel pain can be a sign of any number of issues, including joint inflammation, bone infection, or tendonitis. In rare cases, though, it can be a sign of an underlying problem. Arthritis doesn’t usually manifest as heel pain, but it’s important to have it on your radar. Becauseheel pain in Austin or Pflugerville, TX, can show up before any other symptoms of arthritis, it’s important to get heel pain taken care of so you know what’s behind the discomfort.

Arthritis and Heel Pain 

While it’s rare for arthritis to cause arthritis, it may help to know how different types of arthritis manifest in heel pain:

• Rheumatoid: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause pain and swelling in the joints in the foot. It can also wear down the pads of the foot that protect the heel and the ball of the foot.
• Psoriatic: This condition mimics rheumatoid but targets different joints. The actual results are the same in terms of how your heels feel, but in addition to the pain and swelling of the joints, you may also see differences in the skin or the nails.
• Reiter’s: Reiter’s Disease is joint pain that’s usually caused by an infection. Reiter’s will manifest as heel spurs, and a podiatrist may be able to use those symptoms to catch infections.

Podiatrists in Austin or Pflugerville

Dr. Jeffrey Lamour, DPM, PA, a podiatrist with offices in Austin and Pflugerville, TX, knows that pain in the foot can come and go. However, if you have heel pain that’s unexplainable or doesn’t clear up in a week or two, it may help to get the situation checked out. Contacting our staff for an appointment means that you can pinpoint the cause, whether it’s a common problem like plantar fasciitis, or something rarer like arthritis.