Often, individuals who present with "isolated" heel pain but with normal la
boratory findings are dismissed without diagnosis. However, if these patien
ts are carefully questioned and examined, a significant proportion are foun
d to have a spondyloarthropathy. The keys to making this diagnosis are obta
ining a thorough medical history and performing a complete physical examina
tion. The classic complaints of back pain and enthesitis in other areas are
frequently not reported by patients unless specifically sought, because th
ey are thought to be unrelated to the heel pain.