Gout in the Ankle - What You Need to Know

Gout in the ankle is a type of arthritis that causes intense pain with redness, swelling, and stiffness. It occurs more often in people over 40 years of age, but can happen in younger adults as well.

This condition is caused by too much uric acid in the blood, and can result in painful crystals that form in joints. Uric acid is normally filtered out of the body in urine, but when it stays in the blood too long, it can build up and cause crystals to form. This is called hyperuricemia and is the primary cause of gout.

It is a chronic disease that tends to get worse with time and requires ongoing treatment. There are medications to help reduce uric acid levels, reducing the frequency of Ankle Gout. It is important to take the prescribed medication as directed by your doctor so that you can avoid future gout attacks.

Treatment for gout typically involves oral medications that lower uric acid levels, but it may also involve other options depending on your situation and what is best for you. Your doctor will work with you to find a treatment that is right for you, including medications and lifestyle changes.

In general, a diet low in purines (foods that increase uric acid) and high in fruits and vegetables can help control gout. A person should also limit intake of alcohol and foods that are high in sugar. It is important to drink plenty of water and not to consume caffeinated drinks.

Your doctor will probably start you on a medicine that helps the kidneys to remove uric acid more effectively. This can include allopurinol or febuxostat, both of which are oral medications that are gradually increased over time.

Anti-inflammatory medicines can also help relieve gout symptoms, but they are not as effective as the urate-lowering drugs. Your doctor will likely recommend NSAIDs, such as celecoxib, indomethacin, meloxicam, or sulindac. Over-the-counter NSAIDs can also be helpful in relieving pain during a gout attack.

If your gout is more severe, you may need a corticosteroid injection to help relieve the pain. This is a common gout treatment that can be administered in your office by a podiatrist.

The Ankle Pain treatment usually involves medication and lifestyle changes to reduce the amount of uric acid in your system. Your doctor will also recommend avoiding purines, alcohol, and high-sugar foods.

Diet modification: A diet that is low in purines and high in fruit, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates can reduce uric acid levels. This can reduce the frequency of gout flares and help prevent the formation of new crystals.

Ice therapy: An ice pack applied to the affected joint can decrease inflammation and pain in a gout flare. The American Medical Association recommends using an ice bag or crushed ice to cool the joint for 20 minutes at least three times a day.

Local heat therapy: Warm therapy can also provide relief from gout pain. Applying heat to a gout-affected joint can help reduce the swelling and stiffness. You can also massage the affected joint to increase circulation and reduce pain. Click here for more details about this service: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediatric_podiatry.