What Causes Swollen Ankle When Diagnosed With Bartonella Infection?

Posted on Mon, 15 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 Answered on

Tue, 3 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I need to correspond with someone who is literate with Lyme disease and the co-infections: Babesia & Bartonella.
I have hand a lot of pain in my right heel for the past year or so.Now this same ankle has been moderately swollen and sore to the touch. My doctor had me get an X-Ray 2 weeks ago, it is not a bone spur. He thinks my previously just sore heel may be Plantar Facitis (sp ?), I just want to know if ankle swelling could be due to Bartonella? Thank you for your help. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Painful heel

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

Bartonella infection can give rise to arthritis or arthralgia which can affect large joint like ankle joint and can cause inflammatory swelling.In such case there will be pain along with swelling of ankle.
Plantar Fascitis can cause painful heel.Usually plantar fascitis is atraumatic in onset.Approximately 40% of patients with plantar fasciitis will also have evidence of compression of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve.Cortisone injection can help relieve pain and inflammation.
You can also check your serum 25(OH) Vitamin D level.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad