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Do Podiatrists Treat Gout?
Best Doctor for Big Toe & Foot Gout in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, MI
Do podiatrists treat gout? Absolutely—since the big toe joint is the #1 location for gout, and nearly 90% of gout attacks occur in the foot, podiatrists are often the first specialists to diagnose and manage this painful condition. With expert care and targeted treatments, a podiatrist can help reduce symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and protect your foot health.
Gout Treatment and Gout Attack Pain Relief
- Podiatrists are some of the most well-versed physicians in gout in the big toe joint, foot, and ankle.
Why a Podiatrist for Gout?
- Podiatrists can prescribe all available immediate pain relief medications such as anti-inflammatories, steroids, and colchicine-based medications.
- The podiatrist also has the benefit of being able to perform steroid injections if needed, perform aspirations to know without a doubt through pathological sample if it is actually gout crystals.
- Most podiatrists also have the ability to take an x-ray inside the office to determine nearly 100% of the time what is going on with the bone. They can then go over this x-ray and make sure that what you are having is actually a gout attack.
What Doctors Can Treat Gout Attacks?
- You can also see her primary care doctor for gout. The difference is they can’t always get an x-ray immediately, and most family doctors will not readily perform injections or aspirations unless they are very comfortable doing so.
- In the United States, podiatrists are well versed and well trained to deal with guilt. Personally, we don’t always even make the patient come in. If we have a well-established relationship knowing their allergies and health issues, we can send a prescription quickly electronically to the pharmacy.
Why Should You Come in for Gout in the Big Toe?
- We frequently see first-time gout attack victims come in, convinced that they have gout.
- Getting an x-ray performed quickly leads to showing that it’s not actually gout, but potentially stress fracture, potentially arthritis, a bunion, or something like turf toe.
- If it is a first-time gout attack and you don’t have a family history, it is improbable that it actually is gout.
Podiatrist Gout Diagnosis:
- During the first visit, the podiatrist can obtain an x-ray or even an ultrasound.
- The podiatrist can evaluate clinically and assess for gout.
- If gout is suspected, it may be warranted to perform an arthrocentesis and obtain a sample to send for pathology.
- Obtaining an arthrocentesis is a more accurate way of determining whether someone has gout versus getting a blood sample that may or may not show elevated uric acid. Simply having an elevated uric acid is not diagnostic for gout.
- Obtaining a sample of gout crystals inside the joint will show uric acid on analysis. This is a nearly 100% methods for obtaining an answer for your gout diagnosis.
Who else can diagnose gout:
- Besides a podiatrist and your primary care doctor, a rheumatologist may also help diagnose gout.
- The differences between rheumatologists are not as readily available, and their role is generally in more advanced gout phases, such as chronic gout and long-term medications.
- Your podiatrist will work with your primary care doctor and a rheumatologist to create a long-term plan.
- For most patients, the need and the occasional acute treatment and do not need long-term treatment.
Gout attack treatment:
- When you visit a podiatrist after they perform their diagnosis, they may choose to give you medication.
- There are three great routes to go:
- One strong option is anti-inflammatories. These include ibuprofen and Advil. Longer-term ones can be naproxen and meloxicam.
- Stronger medications may also include Celebrex and indomethacin.
Best Home Treatment:
- There are some great all-natural supplements and treatments listed below.
- Just be aware that these supplements may be well-rated but do lack overall deep scientific evidence.
- Make sure to get your gout properly diagnosed by a podiatrist before administering any treatment at all!
- Gout is one of the most misdiagnosed conditions that we run into by patients.
Best Gout Supplements:
- Use these at your own risk, but they do have great reviews!
- The studies are not definitive on supplements, but people are very loyal to these.
- Please read the reviews on Amazon and give them a try.
- Just make sure to check with your podiatrist before taking any medications!
Gout Supplements & Medication
Top rated gout specific cream on Amazon
Top rated cherry concentrate supplement.
Great Tumeric based anti-arthritis supplement.
Top rated overall Amazon anti-arthritis topical cream.
Price:
$19.97
$20.95
$23.95
$24.99
Overview:
There are not many topical gout specific relief creams. This is the one with best results!
This has 3,000+ near 5 star reviews, there are some studies there supporting it.
Top rate Tumeric based arthritis supplement, About 3,000 near 5 star reviews on Amazon.
Top rated overall arthritis topical cream. Over 30,000+ near 5 star reviews between all sizes!
Pros:
Excellent overall reviews, not much other options for specific gout designed creams.
Great overall reviews, good reviews, people swear by this.
This is one that patients definitely swear by. The reviews are excellent near 5 star levels with thousands of reviews.
Some of the best overall reviews on Amazon in total, long track record, lots of loyal followers.
Cons:
The scientific literature is not very strong regarding these creams.
The results are not thought to be instantaneous, like most supplements, the evidence is not overwhelming.
Like most supplements, the studies are not overwhelming, but there is some evidence for sure.
This is not gout specific, this is overall arthritis specific.
Important Tips:
Use these at your own risk, these are anti-inflammatory creams with great reviews, but not strong scientific literature!
Make sure you read the reviews and do your research, but they do have great overall results with many people that swear by it!
Some patients swear by this stuff, there is mixed evidence, but if you are in severe pain and trust the reviews, it can help!
Like any natural supplement, the research is lacking, do your own research and check with your doctor!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Gout Supplements & Medication
Top rated gout specific cream on Amazon
Price:
$19.97
Overview:
There are not many topical gout specific relief creams. This is the one with best results!
Pros:
Excellent overall reviews, not much other options for specific gout designed creams.
Cons:
The scientific literature is not very strong regarding these creams.
Important Tips:
Use these at your own risk, these are anti-inflammatory creams with great reviews, but not strong scientific literature!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Gout Supplements & Medication
Top rated cherry concentrate supplement.
Price:
$20.95
Overview:
This has 3,000+ near 5 star reviews, there are some studies there supporting it.
Pros:
Great overall reviews, good reviews, people swear by this.
Cons:
The results are not thought to be instantaneous, like most supplements, the evidence is not overwhelming.
Important Tips:
Make sure you read the reviews and do your research, but they do have great overall results with many people that swear by it!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Gout Supplements & Medication
Great Tumeric based anti-arthritis supplement.
Price:
$23.95
Overview:
Top rate Tumeric based arthritis supplement, About 3,000 near 5 star reviews on Amazon.
Pros:
This is one that patients definitely swear by. The reviews are excellent near 5 star levels with thousands of reviews.
Cons:
Like most supplements, the studies are not overwhelming, but there is some evidence for sure.
Important Tips:
Some patients swear by this stuff, there is mixed evidence, but if you are in severe pain and trust the reviews, it can help!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Gout Supplements & Medication
Top rated overall Amazon anti-arthritis topical cream.
Price:
$24.99
Overview:
Top rated overall arthritis topical cream. Over 30,000+ near 5 star reviews between all sizes!
Pros:
Some of the best overall reviews on Amazon in total, long track record, lots of loyal followers.
Cons:
This is not gout specific, this is overall arthritis specific.
Important Tips:
Like any natural supplement, the research is lacking, do your own research and check with your doctor!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Wait it out:
- Take it easy that day, generally doing these things for 1-2 days will start to feel better.
- See your podiatrist as soon as possible for steroids or Indomethacin if possible.
- Make sure it’s not a different problem as well!
Control Inflammation:
Anti-inflammatories:
- Motrin, Ibuprofen or even indomethacin can work great.
- If you know a podiatrist, have them send you an oral steroid if possible.
- Make sure you see your podiatrist first before taking medications!
Elevate your foot:
- The more you can elevate your foot. The less blood flow will rush to the site.
- This should really help reduce the pain.
Massage & Ice Products:
- Icing can be done at home almost immediately.
- Get yourself a cloth and use it around a frozen bag of peas or ice.
- Apply this for your foot 20 minutes at a time.
Menthol Based Gels:
- Biofreeze is one of our favorites.
- These gels have been studied to work 2x as long as ice.
Wait it out:
- Take it easy that day, generally doing these things for 1-2 days will start to feel better.
- See your podiatrist as soon as possible for steroids or Indomethacin if possible.
- Make sure it’s not a different problem as well!
Do Podiatrist Treat Gout? Trusted Foot & Ankle Information
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Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Howell and Bloomfield Hills?
If you’re struggling with painful gout flare-ups in your foot or big toe joint, the expert podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist are here to help. Our team provides advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing care to reduce pain, prevent future attacks, and protect your long-term foot health. Serving patients across Southeast Michigan, we combine medical expertise with compassionate care so you can get back on your feet with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Podiatrists Treating Gout
Yes. Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists, making them highly experienced in diagnosing and treating gout, especially since the big toe joint is the most common location for gout attacks.
Common symptoms include sudden pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the big toe joint or foot. A podiatrist can confirm gout through a physical exam, medical history, and sometimes lab tests.
Podiatrists provide immediate relief strategies such as anti-inflammatory treatment, joint support, and personalized recommendations to reduce pain and swelling during a flare-up.
Chronic gout care may include medication management, lifestyle and dietary guidance, orthotics, and in severe cases, surgical options to address joint damage caused by recurring gout.
Yes. A podiatrist can help patients identify triggers, recommend footwear, provide dietary advice, and create a long-term care plan to minimize flare-ups.
Both can help, but a podiatrist specializes in foot and ankle conditions. If gout primarily affects your foot or big toe joint, a podiatrist is the best option for targeted care.
At Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist, our podiatrists combine advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing patient education to not only treat gout flare-ups but also prevent long-term joint damage. We serve patients across Southeast Michigan, including Howell and Berkley, with expert and compassionate foot care.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-qualified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon serving Southeast Michigan at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. A Michigan native, Dr. Biernacki earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a three-year comprehensive surgical residency in foot and ankle surgery in the Detroit metro area.
Dr. Biernacki specializes in the treatment of heel pain, bunions, hammertoes, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, flatfoot correction, and minimally invasive foot surgery. He is dedicated to providing evidence-based, patient-centered care that helps people of all ages stay active and pain-free.
He sees patients at multiple convenient Metro Detroit locations and is committed to community education through the MichiganFootDoctors.com resource library. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association (MPMA).