You wake up in the morning and your big toe is killing you. Your toe is swollen and feels like it’s on fire. The weight of your blanket even feels intolerable. “Did I injure my toe?” you ask yourself. You don’t recall any injury. These are typical symptoms of an attack of gout.
Gout is a form of arthritis. Although men are more likely to get gout, it is a complex disorder than can affect anyone. Women are becoming increasingly more susceptible to gout after menopause.
Gout occurs because of a build-up of uric acid in the body and in the joint fluid. It usually occurs when the body struggles to process certain protein substances found in our diets. Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood and passes through the kidneys into the urine. When the body has difficulty eliminating uric acid through the kidneys and urine, or the body produces an over abundance of uric acid, this acid can build up. In many cases, the problem is hereditary.
Gout attacks usually occur in the early hours of the morning. They commonly affect a single joint. The most frequent joint affected is the big toe joint, however it can also affect the instep of the foot, heel, ankle, knee, wrist, finger, elbow, shoulder or hip.
If you experience sudden, intense pain in a joint of the foot or ankle, call your podiatrist. Your podiatrist will provide a thorough examination and consider your family history. The examination usually includes checking for uric acid crystals and a blood test to clarify the level of uric acid in the body. X-rays are used to determine any abnormal changes in the bones and joints.
Gout is usually treated with medications, proper diet and exercise. Your podiatrist should help create an exercise plan that will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
If you have been medically treated for gout and the attacks continue, you must see your podiatrist to prevent worsening pain and permanent joint damage. Surgery may be necessary to remove the crystals and repair the joint if abundant deposits of gouty crystals are found within a joint or the arthritis causes chronic discomfort.
Dr. Robert Abrams, DPM, is medical director of the FootCare Center of Santa Clarita. He can be reached at 661-253-3668. You may visit the FootCare Center’s web site at www.killerfeet.net .