Do Podiatrists Treat Gout? [Best Doctor for Big Toe & Foot Gout!]

Do podiatrists treat gout? The #1 location of gout is in the big toe joint, and 90% of gout attacks can happen in the foot. A podiatrist can help!  

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!

 

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!