Management of heel pain in the inflammatory arthritides.

Subcalcaneal pain is a common complaint presented to the orthopaedist. Excessive attention to mechanical or traumatic causes may result in an improper diagnosis if rheumatologic or systemic conditions are not considered in the differential diagnosis. Systemic conditions associated with heel pain are reviewed and a conservative treatment protocol is presented that should help to obtain a correct diagnosis and to lead to effective management of this common condition.