Gout is one of the leading causes of joint pain in your feet and ankles, especially in your big toe. However, with the help of the team of board-certified podiatrists at Miklos Foot and Ankle Specialists, you can get effective relief from gout and even lower your risk of a future flare-up. You can book an appointment at this practice, located in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood of Chicago, by requesting an appointment online or by calling the office directly.

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Why does gout flare up?

Gout, one of the dozens of forms of arthritis, flares up when uric acid crystals develop in your joints. Uric acid crystals form when purines metabolize improperly. Although your body normally flushes away uric acid through waste, poor kidney function and having a diet high in purine-rich foods — alcohol, red meats, and shellfish, among others — can cause uric acid levels to surge.

The reason uric acid tends to accumulate in your lower extremities is that your feet, particularly your toes, are the furthest points from your heart. This means circulation is limited.

Plus, uric acid tends to crystallize in cooler temperatures. Because of the decreased blood flow in your feet, your toes are often the coolest points in your body. This is why gout tends to flare up most commonly in your feet and ankles, although technically gout can affect any of the joints in your body.

What are the symptoms of gout?

Most gout sufferers who come into Miklos Foot and Ankle Specialists have the same complaint: agonizing toe pain. But gout flare-up symptoms can also include:

  • Limited range of motion in the affected joint
  • Tenderness and inflammation
  • Redness or warmth

Gout flare-ups tend to come on suddenly and can cause debilitating pain for several days. You may continue to experience mild-to-moderate soreness and discomfort for up to a couple of weeks. Fortunately, you have plenty of treatment options available at Miklos Foot and Ankle Specialists, so gout doesn’t have to take over your life.

How is gout treated?

Treating gout involves combining several therapies to relieve your current symptoms, while also decreasing your risk of a future gout flare-up. After your comprehensive gout examination, which may include labs and X-rays, your dedicated podiatrist at Miklos Foot and Ankle Specialists may recommend:

  • Painkiller drugs
  • Immobilizing (bracing) your joint
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Medications to improve the breakdown of uric acid

Your podiatrist even counsels you about your diet. If you’re overweight, getting down to a healthier weight for your frame can lessen gout issues. You also need to learn which purine-rich foods you need to exclude from your diet, so your podiatrist spends time educating you about healthier food and drink options.

Before suffering from gout another day, book an evaluation at Miklos Foot and Ankle Specialists. You can conveniently book your appointment online or over the phone.