Gout
The pain caused by gout can be severe and debilitating. We see it often and work closely with the patient to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
DPM, FACFAS
What is Gout?
Symptoms
Potential Causes
Gout is caused when uric acid crystals settle out into a joint causing irritation and damage to the joint. Uric acid is naturally formed in the body but some people either make too much of it (over-producer) or their kidneys are unable to rid the body of it appropriately (under-excreter).
Other causes of gout include genetics, medical conditions including kidney disease or renal failure, diet, hypertension, and certain medications.
Treatment Options
It's best to see a doctor when you experience the sudden pain or if it's consistent and not going away. Untreated gout can cause joint damage and even soft tissue infection.
Untreated gout can lead to joint damage, crystal deposits in the soft tissues (called tophi) which can erode through the skin, and gout can even deposit inside of tendons, blood vessels or around internal organs.
Therefore, it is important to make sure that the patient is managed long-term by their primary care physician, rheumatologist and podiatrist, who will help manage their foot pain with custom insoles, footwear recommendations, anti-inflammatory medications and injections, and surgical intervention if necessary. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Kaufman at Anchorage Foot & Ankle Clinic to determine if you do have gout and discuss treatment recommendations and develop a team-based approach to managing your gout.
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