7 Foot Conditions That Can Mimic Arthritis

When you experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in your feet and ankles, arthritis might be the first condition that comes to mind. However, while arthritis is a common cause of these symptoms, several other diseases can mimic its effects, particularly in the weight-bearing joints of the lower extremities. In today’s article, we at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group will unpack 7 conditions that also cause joint inflammation (or mirror the pain it causes).

Tendonitis

Inflammation of tendons surrounding the ankle and foot joints can also cause significant pain and swelling that might be confused with arthritis.

Conditions like Achilles tendonitis, peroneal tendonitis, and posterior tibial tendonitis can lead to localized pain, stiffness, and tenderness. This especially gets aggravated if you move a certain way, unlike the more generalized joint pain of some arthritis types.

Bursitis

If the fluid-filled nodes (called bursae) throughout your bones and tendons become inflamed, you can feel pain and swelling around the ankle or heel, called bursitis. Retrocalcaneal bursitis, for example, located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone, can be particularly painful and mimic arthritic inflammation.

Plantar Fasciitis

Mostly affecting the plantar fascia of the sole, plantar fasciitis can cause intense heel pain that radiates into the arch and ankle, sometimes causing you to believe you have arthritis in those areas. But, the characteristic morning pain and pain after rest can be a key differentiator.

Sprains and Strains

Traumatic injuries, like sprains (ligament tears) and strains (muscle or tendon tears), are also common causes of pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the feet and ankles. While not diseases, the inflammatory response following these injuries can closely resemble arthritis, especially in the initial stages.

Infections

Infections can cause significant inflammation, pain, redness, and warmth that can mimic an arthritic flare-up. However, infections often present with skin abnormalities (think plantar warts) or additional systemic symptoms like fever and chills.

Fibromyalgia

This chronic condition is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localizedareas. While not a true inflammatory arthritis, the deep, aching pain and stiffness experienced in the feet and ankles with fibromyalgia can often be mistaken for arthritis.

However, fibromyalgia typically involves more widespread pain and is not associated with objective signs of joint inflammation like swelling or redness.  

Ankylosing Spondylitis

This is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, but it can also impact other joints, including those in the hips, knees, and, less commonly, the ankles and feet.

When it does affect the lower extremities, it can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, particularly at the sites where ligaments and tendons attach to bone, such as the heel (Achilles tendon and plantar fascia).

If you’re worried about your foot pain, come see the expert team at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.