Question
I am a 21 year old female. I have a family history of joint inflammation (brother 22yrs of age with arthritis; mother has chronic bursitis with possible undiagnosed inflammation issues)

Three years ago I attended BASIC Training to enter in the Army. During long marches bearing 40lbs on my back and runs I developed a substantial number of blisters on a constant basis. Some time in to my training I developed large callus bumps on both of my heals, I thought that they were strictly calluses and would go away. Over the last three years the callus has come and gone depending on my footwear but the bumps remain. I recently had an ex-ray and was informed it is soft tissue damage possibly resulting from plantar fasciitis. I am currently deployed and am unable to receive comprehensive care and was wondering what this meant exactly as well as what can be done about the huge nodes on my feet. When the heals are impacted I feel intense pain, and blistering occurs when my feet are not accustomed to boots but apart from that the nodes only bother me because of their appearance. Also I am currently being treated for chronic bursitis and there is the possibility that I have a different all in compassing condition causing joint inflammation and was wondering if the heals could be connected to the hip, knee, shoulder inflammation.


Answer
This Chicago Podiatrist says....
You didn't mention your current level of physical activity and weight-which will exaggerate above symptoms.
The inflammation in your heels may be associated to the inflammation to your hip,knee and shoulder.
If you wake up with swelling and stiffness and improves slowly-or not at all-it may be a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you wake up and the joints feel stiff and hurt when you first move them , but improve quickly after warming up, then the pain may just be due to he level of physical activity you are experiencing.
If the heels hurts-think plantar fasciitis-but can be caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis
A blood test and x-rays can indicate which form of arthritis you may have.
As far as the bumps-if they are firm and in he area of the arches-then they may be plantar fibromas- a benign soft condition of the plantar fascia. If they are small and disappear with pressure-then they may be piezogenic pedal papules- Pressure-induced papules/nodes of the heel, occurring probably as a result of the herniation of fat tissue due to degeneration of dermal collagen. A benign condition that may resolve with decrease of activity and weight.

Hope this answers your question
Good Luck
Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com

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