Gout on Foot: Knocking You Off Your Feet

In William Shakespeare’s play “Henry IV, Part 2,” Falstaff rages, “"A pox of this gout! or a gout of this pox! for the one or the other plays the rogue with my great toe." And his frustration is understandable. Gout on foot usually centers on the joint at the base of the big toe and it can be very painful, making it difficult for the victim to walk. Because of the severity of pain and the suddenness of its attacks, many people may find themselves ranting and raving at gout on foot, just like the Shakespearean character Falstaff.

Gout is a form of arthritis and thus carries the signature symptoms, such as pain, inflammation, and redness. Gout on foot can also occur on the ankles, but when it afflicts the big toe, it is known as podagra. A person may never know that he or she has gout until sudden flare-ups of pain occur, in which case professional consultation with a chiropodist should be arranged. The doctor will then explain that gout on foot can be caused by certain factors, including heredity, diet, obesity, and alcohol intake.

Gout occurs when uric acid, a waste product of dietary protein, form into uric crystals in the joint. Painful inflammation then occurs. This pain may subside after several days or weeks, but the patient should not be deluded by a false sense of security during the absence of pain. Left untreated, gout on foot can destroy the joints. In addition, if high uric acid levels in the blood are not lowered, damage to the heart, lungs, and kidneys is likely.

For immediate relief from pain, the doctor can prescribe treatments such as applying ice or cooling ointments, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Longer-term treatment options include the prescription of drugs that prevent the formation of uric acid crystals and those that promote renal elimination of uric acid.