An Easy-to-Dismiss Symptom in Your Foot Could Indicate Serious Illnesses
Your feet, though distant from vital organs, can reveal important health clues, especially when experiencing a particular symptom often overlooked. Even heels deserve attention.
Heel Pain: A Warning Sign
This common discomfort may signal several health issues like arthritis, blood clots, or even heart attacks, but it is frequently misdiagnosed.
“Heel pain is the great imposter,” said Dr. Positano, a podiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery. This means it can hide more severe conditions.
Underlying Causes of Heel Pain
Pain in the foot and heels might be linked to disorders affecting joints and muscles. According to Dr. Positano, many rheumatologic diseases also show up as heel pain, such as:
- Psoriasis
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Blood clots
Why Heel Pain Signals Systemic Disease
The foot’s structure plays a role. The heel’s rich blood supply makes it vulnerable to systemic illnesses and metastatic cancer spread. It can also lead to conditions like stress fractures, osteopenia, and osteoporosis due to overuse or bone weakening.
“The reason that this may be a favorite site for underlying systemic disease is because of the vascularity of the heel,” explained Dr. Positano.
Importance of Pain Location
Dr. Positano advises noticing whether soreness is on one side or both, as this detail helps doctors identify any existing health issues early on.
Author's summary: Heel pain, often underestimated, can indicate severe diseases from arthritis to cancer due to the heel's unique blood supply and structural vulnerability.