/assets/production/practices/a1906669ca8c5acfc290299bccc59583a73b7195/images/2708253.jpg)
If you’re one of the 9.2 million Americans living with the sudden, intense joint pain of gout, you can find the high-quality medical care you deserve at Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists. With offices in Louisville, Fern Creek, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Jeffersonville, and Leitchfield, Kentucky, you can access expert guidance from the experienced podiatry team and find lasting joint pain relief. The team also provides preventive resources to minimize your risk for additional gout attacks. Call the Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists office near you today to schedule a gout evaluation or book an appointment online.
What is gout?
Gout is a complex form of arthritis that typically affects the joint of the big toe but can also occur in any of the joints, including your ankles, knees, and fingers.
Gout attacks develop when urate crystals form near the joint due to high levels of uric acid in your blood. This acid is necessary to break down purines in organ meats, seafood, and alcoholic beverages.
As the crystals grow, they can form sharp edges that stab the nearby joint, causing sudden inflammation and persistent pain.
Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists provides personalized care for individuals with gout. The experienced podiatry team focuses on relieving your symptoms and preventing additional gout attacks so you can remain active and mobile.
When should I seek medical attention for gout?
Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Louisville Foot and Ankle if you have gout symptoms you can’t manage on your own. These symptoms can include:
- Intense joint pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Restricted range of motion
Initially, gout symptoms may come and go. However, without treatment, gout attacks can become more frequent and disrupt your quality of life.
The podiatry team offers comprehensive exams to identify swelling and evaluate your joint’s range of motion. They may also request blood tests or take a fluid sample from your joint to confirm gout.
How is gout treated?
Louisville Foot and Ankle provides several treatment strategies to ease the pain and other symptoms of gout.
The team might recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or prescription corticosteroids to reduce swelling. There are also medications available that block the production of uric acid or help your body eliminate more uric acid from your blood.
Lifestyle changes are also a vital part of gout management. Your provider might suggest changes like:
- Staying hydrated
- Getting daily exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting the use of alcohol
- Avoiding high-purine foods
- Incorporating low-fat dairy products into your diet
During routine follow-up appointments, the podiatry team monitors your success with treatment. They also continue to assess the frequency and severity of gout attacks to ensure they are well controlled.
Call the nearest Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists office today to schedule a gout evaluation or book a consultation online.