Gout is a painful joint condition that affects many men, but women can also suffer from gout. The highly skilled orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists at Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC can help manage gout flare-ups and even prevent attacks. The team treats gout at all its clinics, including Fort Lee, New Jersey, Forest Hills, New York, Gramercy, New York, New York, & East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. To end your struggles with gout, call the office nearest you or make an appointment online today.

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What is gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that typically affects the joints of the lower leg. Gout is most common in the joint at the base of the big toe but it can show up in any joint. Gout can be quite painful, but the good news is that with treatment, gout symptoms can be controlled and sometimes even eliminated.

What are the symptoms of gout?

Gout causes intense pain, swelling, heat, and redness in affected joints. Left untreated, gout can interfere with your range of motion and even your ability to walk. Untreated gout also leaves you at a higher risk of infection in the affected joint.

What causes gout?

Gout appears when excess uric acid in your blood causes urate crystals to form in your joints. Certain things can increase your body’s uric acid production beyond normal levels or interfere with your kidneys’ ability to filter uric acid out of your blood.

A diet heavy in meat, seafood, and sweetened beverages can lead to gout. Other things that contribute to urate crystal formation or increase your risk of gout include:

  • Heavy alcohol consumption, particularly of beer
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Certain medications
  • A family history of gout

Several medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney and heart disease also increase your risk of developing gout.

How is gout diagnosed?

To diagnose gout, the skilled podiatrists at Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC do a thorough foot evaluation, including X-rays and a review of your health history. Your podiatrist could also recommend additional tests like a joint-fluid test in which a sample of fluid is extracted from the affected joint, blood is taken to check for elevated levels of uric acid, and other diagnostic options.

How is gout treated?

Your experienced podiatrist at Foot and Ankle Center of NJ & NY, LLC works with you to ease or eliminate your symptoms and control flare-ups. Medications that reduce pain and control uric acid levels can be highly effective in relieving pain minimizing attacks. Losing weight and other healthy lifestyle changes can significantly affect the frequency and duration of your gout attacks.

You don’t have to live in fear of your next debilitating attack of gout. For gout relief, call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online for an evaluation.