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Gout

Of the more than 8 million Americans with gout, the vast majority experience painful and disabling attacks that originate from their main big toe joint. Our skilled podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney is the best choice to help you prevent and reduce your gout attacks. Our team of expert podiatrists can help you manage and relieve your gout pain.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs mainly in the big toe joint where your toe meets the rest of your foot. This form of arthritis is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the body due to genetics, poor diet, and certain medications. Too much uric acid will cause the formation of deposits in the form of small crystals, within the joints or the surrounding soft tissues. 

Under normal circumstances, uric acid is naturally created to help your body process purines. But if you naturally produce excess uric acid or your kidneys don't excrete it efficiently, it accumulates in your blood and eventually causes gout. 

The most common areas affected by gout are the feet and ankles. In the feet, gout can cause extreme pain in the big toe and the surrounding area. Gout can also cause deformities in the joints and surrounding tissue, resulting in difficulty walking and a decreased range of motion.

What Are The Symptoms Of Gout?

Gout is extremely painful. Typically the pain begins suddenly and affects only one joint at a time. Although it’s most common in the big toe, gout attacks can also occur in the heel, ankle, or top of the foot. Other symptoms include:

  • Sudden, severe attacks of pain and tenderness in a joint, most often the first gout attack is in the big toe
  • Swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint
  • Limited range of motion and stiffness in the affected joint
  • Intense itching and burning sensation around the affected joint
  • Uric acid crystals in the affected joint or surrounding tissue will appear as small, rigid lumps under the skin
  • Fatigue and malaise
  • Fever and chills
  • Recurring painful attacks of gout

Unfortunately, these symptoms can occur suddenly and last for days or weeks. In some cases, the pain can be so severe that daily activities can become difficult, such as walking, climbing stairs, and following your normal sleep schedule.

How Do You Treat Gout?

Our podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco & Plano will design a personalized gout treatment and management plan for you to reduce the frequency and intensity of your gout attacks. This may involve medications, lifestyle changes, and possibly surgery.

Possible Medications

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medications can reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling.
  • Corticosteroids: These drugs can reduce inflammation and pain.
  • Colchicine: This medication can reduce inflammation and prevent gout attacks.
  • Allopurinol: This medication can lower uric acid levels

Some medications, like aspirin and thiazide diuretics, can increase uric acid levels and that may contribute to gout development. So, in some cases, medication changes can help. But you should never make medication changes without consulting your doctor.

Lifestyle Changes

  • Limit the consumption of foods high in purines, such as red meats, organ meats, seafood, and alcohol.
  • Increase your intake of water and other fluids.
  • Exercise regularly to improve circulation and help reduce inflammation.
  • Immobilization of the foot with a walking cast or crutches

Surgery

  • Tophi Removal: Surgery to drain the painful gout deposits of uric acid crystals that cause swollen nodules around the joints and tissues
  • Arthroscopic gout removal: Removes uric acid from the joints
  • Rare cases may require the removal of inflamed tissue or joint surgeries
  • Joint fusion surgery: A procedure that fuses smaller joints to improve their stability and alleviate pain.
  • Joint replacement surgery: A procedure that involves replacing a diseased joint with an artificial joint.

Our team of podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney can help you manage and reduce your painful gout attacks. With the guidance of our expert podiatrists, you can prevent uric acid build-up and reduce the severity of your gout. Call our office today to schedule your appointment. 

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