WHAT IS GOUT?
Gout is a type of arthritis. It is the body’s response to poor metabolism of certain purines.
Hypercuricemia (a condition of high Uric Acid levels) can lead to gout. The prevalence
of gout in the U.S has risen over the last twenty years and now affects 8.3 million (4%) Americans.

WHO CAN GET GOUT:

  • More common in men than in women.
  • More prevalent in African-American men than white men.
  • Chance of having gout rises with age, with a peak age of 75.
  • In women, gout attacks usually occur in menopause.
  • If your parents have gout, you have a 20%o chance of developing it.
  • About 21% in USA have elevated blood uric acid levels
  • Only a small portion of those with hyperuricemia will actually develop gout.
  • Even those with normal uric acid levels can get gout.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR GOUT?

  • Obesity
  • Excessive, weight gain, especially in youth,
  • Moderate to heavy alcohol intake,
  • High blood pressure,
  • Abnormal kidney function is among the risk factors for developing
  • Certain drugs and diseases can also cause elevated levels of uric acid
  • High protein and fatty foot diet

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GOUT?
Acute gout attacks are characterized by a rapid onset of pain in the affected joint followed by warmth, swelling, reddish discoloration, and marked tenderness. The big toe is the most common site for an attack. Other joints that can be affected include the ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. In some people, the acute pain is so intense that even a bed sheet or a puff of air touching the toe can cause severe pain. These painful attacks usually subside in hours to days, with or without medications. In rare instances, an attack can last for weeks. Most people with gout will experience repeated bouts over the years. Chronic gout and repetitive attacks will lead to big toe joint arthritis or ankle arthritis

WHAT CAUSES GOUT?
Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines that are a product of many foods we eat. The body will filter out most of the uric acid through the kidneys into the urine. When the body is producing too much uric acid, or the kidneys are unable to filter and get rid of enough uric acid, it can build up in the blood stream. The high concentration of uric acid will want to settle out of the blood. Joints, specifically the big toe joint, are the coldest parts of the body; owing to the fact that there is less blood flow through a joint. The uric acid in the blood will settle into the joint, crystallizing. The body recognizes these uric acid crystals as foreign objects. A cascade and significant amount of inflammation rushes to the joint. This response is magnified becoming more intense causing significant pain and swelling. Joint problems such as a bunion deformity of the big toe can cause trauma to the joint and set off an acute gout attack and become chronic if untreated.

HOW IS GOUT DIAGNOSED?
Diagnosis is achieved by the clinical examination and x-rays of the patient. Dr. Heath will listen to the patient’s complaints, symptoms and goals. The examination involves a hands-on analysis of the patient’s foot and evaluating the joint. Radio-graphs (x-rays) of the feet will be obtained in the office and reviewed with the patient. Gout is considered when a patient reports a history of repeated significant pain in a joint, especially at the big toe joint or ankle, with severe redness and swelling.

Family history of gout.

Detecting uric acid crystals in the joint fluid obtained by joint aspiration. This common office procedure is performed with local anesthesia. Using sterile technique, fluid is withdrawn (aspiration) from the inflamed joint with a syringe and needle. Once joint fluid is obtained, it is analyzed for the presence of uric acid crystals.

Blood tests to measure the amount of uric acid in the blood.

HOW IS GOUT TREATED?
The treatment of gout falls into 3 categories:

  1. Treating the pain and symptoms of a gout attack.
  2. Preventing a new attack and reducing uric acid levels.
  3. Treatment of the secondary effects of gout.

TREATMENT FOR A GOUT ATTACK:
Anti-inflammatory medications (lndocin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and others)
Colchicine (Colcrys)
Rest and immobilizations of the joint (walking boot)
Steroid injection into the joint.

PREVENTING A GOUT ATTACK:

  • Maintaining adequate fluid intake
  • Decrease alcohol use
  • Avoid foods high in purines
  • Avoid shellfish and organ meats, such as liver, brains and kidneys
  • Weight reduction
  • Other medications decrease the level of uric acid in the blood and prevent the deposit of uric acid in joints helping to prevent further attacks and complications.
  • These medications include Allopurinol, Febuxostat, and Probedicid and Krystexxa.

TREATMENT OF SECONDARY EFFECTS OF GOUT:
Chronic gout attacks will eventually damage and deteriorate the joint cartilage in at the level of the joints or joints involved. Once the gout is under control and treated, the joints that are involved will need to be addressed.

Management of big toe arthritis by correcting the bunion deformity this can realign the big toe joint decreasing the trauma and pressure to the joint helping to reduce and even prevent further gout attacks at that joint.

Management of ankle joint arthritis.