Gout is an inflammatory condition that causes the joints of the foot and ankle to become swollen. It is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body, which causes the painful symptoms of swelling, redness, and warmth. It usually affects the big toe, but can affect other joints as well. An acute attack will last a few hours, but lingering discomfort may persist for days or even weeks. The affected joints become warm, swollen, and have limited range of motion.
A gout attack usually starts with a severe episode of pain in the affected area, usually the big toe. The big toe may become red, warm, and tender to the touch. While the pain may subside after a few hours, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible to prevent future attacks and check for long-term damage.
If you have a large amount of uric acid crystals in the foot, it may be necessary to undergo surgery to remove the clump. This is usually necessary if the uric acid crystals have pushed through the tophus and are restricting your ability to walk and wear shoes. If the urate crystals are breaking through the skin, bacteria may be able to penetrate and cause an infection. This infection can track back to the bone.
Gout can affect anyone, but is more common in men. In women, it typically develops after menopause. The symptoms of gout begin slowly and increase over time. It may become more severe after a foot injury. It’s important to seek medical attention as gout can damage tendons, bones, and tissues.
