Gout

An estimated nine million people in the United States experience persistent joint pain because of gout. At Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, Stephen Lazaroff, DPM, FACFAS, and Joel Segalman, DPM, FACFAS, FACFAO, provide diagnostic testing services to confirm if gout is causing your joint pain. They also create treatment plans to manage symptom flare-ups, so you can live a physically active and pain-free life. Call the office in Waterbury or Newtown, Connecticut, to schedule a gout consultation or book an appointment online today.

What is gout?

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that typically affects the big toe joint. The condition develops when uric acid levels build up in your blood. Your body makes the acid to break down purines — substances naturally found in your body and the foods you eat.

The increased amounts of uric acid form sharp crystals that stab your toe joints. The crystals can also form in your ankle and knee joints.

Your risk for developing gout increases if you’re male. Other risk factors for gout include:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Congestive heart failure

Drinking alcohol and eating foods high in purines, such as red meats, certain seafood, and organ meats, can also cause gout.

What are the symptoms of gout?

Gout symptoms can persist for days or weeks. During these flare-ups, you might experience:

• Intense joint pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Redness

Following a flare-up, your symptoms can go into remission for months or years before they return.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC if you have gout symptoms that you can’t manage with over-the-counter medications, ice therapy, or rest.

The foot and ankle specialists perform physical exams and may order X-rays or other diagnostic imaging tests to evaluate your joint health. They can only confirm a gout diagnosis during a flare-up when your joint is painful and swollen. You might also need blood work to assess the uric acid levels in your blood.

How is gout treated?

Your treatment plan for gout focuses on managing symptoms during a flare-up and preventing additional symptoms.

The Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC team may recommend oral or injectable anti-inflammatory medications to relieve swelling and pain in your joint.  Medications that lower your body’s production of uric acid are also available.

You may also need to make changes to your diet to lower the amount of purines you consume. The providers can recommend daily exercises to keep your joints healthy and help you maintain an ideal body weight.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for gout symptoms, call the Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, office near you, or book an appointment online today.