Gout Causes And Treatments

Content

• Least Common Gout Attack Sites
• Ankle Arthritis
• Pathophysiology And Risk Factors
• The Role Of Physical Activity In Prevention Of Gout
• Emmitt Smith Gains Ground On Gout

AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific orthopaedic advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon, or locate one in your area through the AAOS Find an Orthopaedist program on this website. The black arrows point to places where bone has worn away. Allopurinol reduces the amount of uric acid your body produces.

How do I know if my ankle pain is serious?

DO: Drink Milk
The proteins found in milk promote excretion of uric acid in the urine.

When conservative treatments fail arthroscopic surgery may be used to remove the gout-causing crystals from the affected joint, as seen in the video above. While both groups showed improvement, those treated with arthroscopy demonstrated better functional outcomes. Usually, uric acid levels are elevated for years before the onset of gout. In men, uric acid levels rise at puberty, and the peak age of onset of gout in men is in the fourth to sixth decade of life. However, onset may occur in men in their early 20s who have a genetic predisposition and lifestyle risk factors. In women, uric acid levels rise at menopause, and peak age of onset is in the sixth to eighth decade of life.

Least Common Gout Attack Sites

Gout affects about 1 to 2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. This is believed to be due to increasing risk factors in the population, such as metabolic syndrome, longer life expectancy, and changes in diet. Gout was historically known as "the disease of kings" or "rich man's disease". It has been recognized at least since the time of the ancient Egyptians.

Your orthopedic physician may give you a shot of corticosteroids. They may also prescribe other types of medications that are specifically designed to treat gout. To ease the pain during a gout attack, rest the joint that hurts. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine may also be prescribed to help reduce the pain. The good news is that following treatment, relief from the pain and discomfort of a gout attack often begins within 24 hours. It is important to still make an appointment with your orthopedic physician even if your pain from gout is gone.

Ankle Arthritis

If you think you might have gout but haven’t been diagnosed, try to see a doctor while you’re having symptoms. Gout is easier to diagnose when you’re in the middle of a flare-up that’s causing swelling, redness, and other visible symptoms. Experts aren’t sure why some people produce more uric acid or have trouble processing it. But there’s evidence that the condition is often genetic. Usually, uric acid passes through your kidneys, which help to eliminate extra uric acid in your urine. But sometimes there’s too much uric acid for your kidneys to handle.

Infections can either occur in the soft tissues around the ankle joint or in the joint itself . Infections can often be treated with medications alone, but may also require surgery. Gout Quiz Learn what causes those painful crystals to form during a gout flare.

Additionally, your doctor will look at your uric acid levels. Extremely high levels of uric acid (greater than 12 mg/dL) may help your doctor with a chronic gout diagnosis. (In general, uric acid levels should be about 4 to 5 mg/dL). High levels of uric acid can also cause uric acid crystals to collect in your kidneys, which can lead to kidney stones—another chronic gout symptom. But for some people, gout can be a progressive condition.

Colchicine- This anti-inflammatory medicine works best if taken within the first 24 hours of a gout attack. All protein from animal flesh can potentially lead to elevated uric acid levels. Extra weight increases uric acid in your body and puts more stress on joints. Founded in 1942, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is a specialty medical society of more than 7,800 foot and ankle surgeons. All Fellows of the College are board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling and inflammation.

Microscopy of joint fluid is used less often, primarily in equivocal cases. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography are typically not necessary for diagnosis. A gout attack usually lasts a few days and then subsides on its own if left untreated. But, multiple gout attacks could have long-lasting consequences for your joint.

The prevalence of gout has increased in both older and younger people. The increase in younger people is not explained, but the increase in older people, at least in part, relates to increased life span, increased weight and increased use of diuretics. Diuretics are used commonly for hypertension, for example, and they elevate the blood levels of uric acid and can increase the risk of gout. In order to avoid gout attacks, your gout physician may prescribe a medication to reduce the buildup of uric acid in your blood. In most cases patients take this medicine for their entire life, but there are things that you can do reduce the chances of needing a lifetime of medication.

You don't have to limit high-purine veggies like spinach and asparagus though, according to the Mayo Clinic. A recent study showed that the produce-rich, low-fat DASH diet helps reduce uric acid levels and prevent gout flares. The joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site of an acute gout attack. Over time, they can harm joints, tendons, and other tissues.

Treating Gout Pain In The Toes & Ankles

Diuretics, which are sometimes used to treat these conditions, can also increase your risk. The buildup of uric acid in the body is known as hyperuricemia. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines.

Chronic lead exposure and lead-contaminated alcohol are risk factors for gout due to the harmful effect of lead on kidney function. The crystallization of uric acid, often related to relatively high levels in the blood, is the underlying cause of gout. This can occur because of diet, genetic predisposition, or underexcretion of urate, the salts of uric acid.

Emmitt Smith Gains Ground On Gout

Treatment for flares consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, steroids, and the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine. Women are more prone to gout after menopause, and it is rare in children and young adults. Men who are overweight or suffering from high blood pressure are particularly prone to gout, especially if they are taking thiazide diuretics .