A Commonly Ignored Foot Symptom Could Signal Serious Underlying Diseases, Doctors Warn

By Rachel Sacks
Published Nov. 5, 2025 | 8:59 a.m. ET

Even your heels deserve some sole-searching attention.

Though they may seem far removed from your body’s vital organs, your feet can serve as powerful indicators of overall health — particularly when one frequently ignored symptom appears.

Medical experts say this seemingly minor issue could point to a range of serious conditions, from arthritis and blood clots to cardiovascular disease and even early signs of cancer (The New York Times Health Desk, 2024).

The Hidden Danger Behind Heel Pain

“Heel pain is the great imposter,” says Dr. Rock G. Positano, a leading podiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Speaking with The Post, Positano explained that this discomfort often disguises far more dangerous underlying problems.

Pain in the heel or arch of the foot is not always caused by overuse or poor footwear — common explanations offered by general practitioners. Instead, it can be an early indicator of deeper systemic conditions.

“Many rheumatologic diseases such as psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and even blood clots may present initially as heel pain,” Dr. Positano explained. “That’s why it’s so important not to ignore persistent or unexplained soreness.”

Research from Harvard Health Publishing supports this warning, noting that inflammation of the tendons or connective tissue in the heel can be linked to autoimmune disorders and circulatory dysfunction (Harvard Health, 2023).

Why the Heel Is a Red Flag Zone

So why do these serious illnesses show up in such an unexpected place? The answer lies in anatomy.

“The heel has an unusually rich blood supply,” Positano explained. “Because of this vascularity, it’s a common site for stress fractures, metastatic cancer spread, or signs of osteoporosis and osteopenia from overuse.”

This means the heel acts almost like an early warning sensor for systemic stress or disease. Mayo Clinic researchers have also found that changes in heel tissue density can indicate the onset of chronic inflammatory conditions long before other symptoms appear (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2022).

Positano also advises patients to notice which side of the body the discomfort affects. “Pain on the less dominant side may come from compensation for hip or knee pain,” he said. “Bilateral heel pain, on the other hand, may indicate lumbar disc disease or spinal stenosis in the lower back.”

The Chain Reaction of Ignoring Pain

Heel pain may start as a localized issue, but ignoring it can trigger a chain of larger health problems.

“When heel pain makes people avoid walking or exercising, it often leads to cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoporosis, and even depression,” Positano warned. “A painful foot doesn’t just stay in the foot — it affects posture, mobility, and emotional well-being.”

Experts from Cleveland Clinic echo this sentiment, noting that chronic foot pain can alter gait and cause strain in the knees, hips, and lower back (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 2024).

Why Misdiagnosis Is So Common

Despite roughly 10% of adults experiencing heel pain at some point, doctors frequently misdiagnose the cause. According to Positano, “All too often we evaluate patients who have had heel pain for over a year, only to discover a far more serious underlying problem.”

The most common misdiagnosis? Plantar fasciitis. “Physicians often label any heel discomfort as plantar fasciitis based solely on the clinical exam,” Positano said. “But without diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound, they may overlook other dangerous causes.”

He and his team advocate for ultrasound diagnostics as a standard tool, noting that it “could spare many people incorrect diagnoses, harmful treatments, and needless suffering.”

When to See a Doctor

While occasional heel pain after exercise is normal, experts advise that persistent, sharp, or unexplained pain should never be dismissed.

“Don’t trivialize its presence,” Positano emphasized. “This pain may have many origins — from musculoskeletal trauma to vascular disease to cancer. It might not always be life-threatening, but it’s definitely quality-of-life threatening.”

In short: If your heels are hurting, your body might be trying to tell you something far more serious.

Sources:
The New York Times Health Desk (2024); Harvard Health Publishing (2023); Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2022); Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine (2024); The Post (2025).