Gout On Top of Foot: Causes, Symptoms & Best Treatment 2020!
Gout on top of the foot is one of the most common sites in the body. Treatment of gout is very effective and there are very practical tips to follow if you want to get better as soon as possible.
Causes:
- Gout is caused by a compound called uric acid that builds up in your joints and foot.
- This can result in a rapid onset of pain.
- This usually lasts about 4 to 12 hours at its most severe, and then there is gradual pain afterwards.
Can gout affect the top of your foot?
Almost all of gout in the foot is on top of the big toe joint. In this way it can radiate across the nerves up your foot making it seem like it is affecting the top of the foot.
Yes gout can affect the top of your foot. The most common areas of gout attacks are:
- Gout most commonly attacks the big toe joint.
- Over 50% of all gout attacks are in the big toe joint. In our opinion it is even higher than this, especially the symptomatic gout attacks.
- This can usually happen on the top part of the front of the foot.
- The pain is so severe that it seems to radiate up the top of the foot almost into the ankle.
- Gout can also occur in the small toes as a secondary site.
- Gout usually does not occur in the top and middle part of the foot unless you have prior arthritis. But it is common to have the pain radiate up to this site if the big toe is really throbbing.
- The skin is thinner on top of the foot so some people feel the gout attack more here.
- You can also get gout under the foot, but this happens at the bottom of your big toe.
- The main way to know that it is gout, is that it usually shows up very quickly without a prior attack.
Consider a pinched nerve as an alternative to gout on the top of your foot.
Gout on top of your foot is usually not gout at all based on what we see regularly.
- The gout like pain on top of the foot is usually almost always irritation of the superficial peroneal nerve or the deep peroneal nerve.
- Consider treating this pinched or irritated nerve on top of your foot.
- If your gout attack is not usually in the big toe joint, then it is likely something else going on.
Can you get gout on the side of the foot?
- Yes, you can get get gout on the side of the foot. But it usually occurs on the inside of the foot, not the outside toward the 5th toe joint.
- If gout is occuring in the smaller toes, or even the 5th toe, it will look like the picture below.
- Gout can produce crystals known as tophi that cause you to get why cottage cheese like formations seen coming out of openings in your skin. Just like the 5th toe picture of gout located below here.
- Gout usually occurs at the big toe joint.
- Gout in the big toe joint is also known as podogra.
- In this way gout can be on top of your foot.
Consider possible nerve pain in the pinky toe as an alternative to gout pain on the side of the foot:
- Pain in the pinky toe is rarely gout.
- Don’t let gout be an innocent bystander to your 5th toe pain.
Can you get gout on the bottom of your foot?
- Yes you can get gout on the bottom of your foot.
- If the pain is severe enough, then it will radiate along the nerves along the bottom of the foot.
- The real key to knowing if it is gout, is to check the symptoms: especially if it starts quickly.
- This once again usually occurs only at the big toe joint, if it is not the big toe joint, then you likely have a different problem than gout.
- Consider Plantar Fasciitis as an alternative to gout on the bottom of the foot.
Symptoms:
The main thing to know about gout is that is usually happens very quickly, usually without an initial injury:
- Gout attacks usually happen very quickly and are very severe with no apparent damage or injury.
- Intense joint pain in the first 12 hours of it starting.
- Consistent pain after the initial wave of pain goes away that can last multiple days or even weeks.
- Serious inflammation and redness the first day.
- Almost not ability to bend that particular foot joint.
- If this is chronic and continuous pain continues to worsen for many days, then this likely is not gout at all.
- The majority of people that come into our clinic thinking they are gout, are not actually gout.
- Gout can very easily be used to blame the pain that other injuries such as big toe joint arthritis are causing.
Gout Treatment:
The biggest problem with gout is the severe pain!
Treatment Goal #1: Get to a podiatrist to confirm that it’s actually gout.
- I would say unless you have had previous confirmed gout attacks, odds are you do not have gout.
- Most people that are told they have gout and
Treatment Step #2: Get rid of the pain!
- I would not wish injecting steroids into someone’s big toe joint on my worst enemy! A steroid injection into the big toe joint can be extremely painful.
- I would strongly recommend going with an oral steroid for severe pain vs. colcrys oral tablets and anti-inflammatories for more moderate pain.
- These treatments can make your pain go away almost immediately.
- The goal is to get the pain to come down from about a 10/10 to about a 5/10 within the first 24 hours.
- After the first day anti-inflammatories can work great in relieving the pain.
- At this point elevating your foot and using ice regularly can make the rest of the pain go away quickly.
Treatment Step #3: Prevent it top of the foot gout pain from coming back!
- Gout can happen for many reasons in many different people.
- Basically the healthier you are the the better you eat, the less gout you will have.
- If you are hydrating well, if your kidneys are working well and if you are able to get into reasonable health, gout attacks should be fairly limited.
- If you do have a genetic reason or possibly a kidney issue, there are many medications available to help with your gout pain.
- The most common medication in preventing frequent attacks is allopurinol, fortunately most people with gout attacks never get to this point where they need life long medication for their gout.
Treatment Step #4: Weigh the Pros and Cons of treating Foot Gout Long Term:
- Most people never need to take life long gout medication. There are many pros and cons to taking medication.
- Most gout attacks are not actually gout, we feel that gout is over represented, especially when it is really arthritis pain.
- If you do have frequent attacks every year, and it really is gout, there are medications that can be taken.
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 in to 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.
- 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
$19.95
$22.97
$34.95
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!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"Woke to pain early in the morning, around 1:30 AM. Felt the onset of a gout attack in my left ankle and foot. Applied the cream and went back to sleep. Got up around 8 AM and the pain had diminished slightly. Applied the cream again and by late afternoon, around 3 PM, the pain had decreased significantly. Did one more application of the cream and by bedtime the symptoms and pain were completely gone."
"I am SO a believer - and my friend ordered her bottle as soon as she got home! Do I recommend??? YOU BET!"
"I began getting relief after about 10 days. My hands are still stiff in the morning, but no pain. No knee pain (or stiffness) any longer. My arthritis in the past was pretty painful, especially in the mornings and in cold weather."
"This is a simple decision. IF YOU HAVE PAIN, ORDER PENETREX! NOW!!! DONT WAIT... I have used this pain relief therapy for several years and would not be without it."
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!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"Woke to pain early in the morning, around 1:30 AM. Felt the onset of a gout attack in my left ankle and foot. Applied the cream and went back to sleep. Got up around 8 AM and the pain had diminished slightly. Applied the cream again and by late afternoon, around 3 PM, the pain had decreased significantly. Did one more application of the cream and by bedtime the symptoms and pain were completely gone."
Gout Supplements & Medication
Top rated cherry concentrate supplement.
Price:
$19.95
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!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I am SO a believer - and my friend ordered her bottle as soon as she got home! Do I recommend??? YOU BET!"
Gout Supplements & Medication
Great Tumeric based anti-arthritis supplement.
Price:
$22.97
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!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I began getting relief after about 10 days. My hands are still stiff in the morning, but no pain. No knee pain (or stiffness) any longer. My arthritis in the past was pretty painful, especially in the mornings and in cold weather."
Gout Supplements & Medication
Top rated overall Amazon anti-arthritis topical cream.
Price:
$34.95
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!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"This is a simple decision. IF YOU HAVE PAIN, ORDER PENETREX! NOW!!! DONT WAIT... I have used this pain relief therapy for several years and would not be without it."
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.
Best Foot & Ankle Manual Massage Devices:
Best Premium Massage Roller
Most Cost Effective Massage Roller.
Cost Effective Freezable Massage Roller.
Price:
$39.95
$6.75
$12.88
Overview:
Premium freezable metal ball that stays cold for up to 6 hours. Great for plantar fascia, neck, shoulders and calf muscles.
Amazing Price, Great Reviews - Non-Freezable Massage Rolling Stick
Great price and it is freezable. Budget friendly freezable massage roller.
Pros:
Great reviews - near 5 star. Stays cold for a long time with deep penetrating plantar fascia massage. Used by professional athletes. Stays cold for HOURS!
Great for what it does. You roll it back and forth along your plantar fascia massaging the swelling and irritation out. Decreases pain. Thousands of 5 star reviews on Amazon.
Excellent reviews. It massages and ices, so it is a step up over the massage rollers. Near 5 star reviews with >500 reviews.
Cons:
More expensive than some of the other options, but near perfect reviews.
Is not freezable like the other two options. Massaging a sore muscle without the cold sensation can be very painful and render it useless to you if really sore.
It does a great job doing what it is supposed to do. Main downside is that it does not stay cold as long as the premium metal ball.
Important Tips:
Use it with a sock to start (could be too cold). Massaging and icing definitely loosens you up and makes you feel better, but you still have to prevent the pain in the first place. You still need stretching, orthotics and good shoes to prevent the initial damage.
Two things: Without the freezing component, it may be really painful for a very sore arch (So make sure to use ICE also). Also this only reduces pain, it does not stop the cause! You still need good orthotics, shoes and stretching to stop the pain in the first place!
Start with socks at first, especially if you have peripheral neuropathy => don't freeze your foot! Remember that you still need good orthotics, good shoes and inserts as well as temporary activity reduction.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"Helps relieve soreness caused by two spur in my right foot. This is much better than using a recycled water bottle filled with ice, which is messy when ice starts to thaw, causing condensation. I use with a pair of thin socks, I find it too intense with bare foot on the ball itself. "
"I stepped on this and moved my foot back and forth and I could hear all the little joints in my foot cracking and relaxing. A week of doing this and icing my foot and I am no longer worried about continuing to train for some marathons! I am healed!"
"This is such a great foot massager. I bought it for myself and then I bought more to give out as gifts. I normally keep mine under my desk. It's so gratifying to use it while you're doing work on the computer. You really feel the pressure! "
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot & Ankle Manual Massage Devices:
Best Premium Massage Roller
Price:
$39.95
Overview:
Premium freezable metal ball that stays cold for up to 6 hours. Great for plantar fascia, neck, shoulders and calf muscles.
Pros:
Great reviews - near 5 star. Stays cold for a long time with deep penetrating plantar fascia massage. Used by professional athletes. Stays cold for HOURS!
Cons:
More expensive than some of the other options, but near perfect reviews.
Important Tips:
Use it with a sock to start (could be too cold). Massaging and icing definitely loosens you up and makes you feel better, but you still have to prevent the pain in the first place. You still need stretching, orthotics and good shoes to prevent the initial damage.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"Helps relieve soreness caused by two spur in my right foot. This is much better than using a recycled water bottle filled with ice, which is messy when ice starts to thaw, causing condensation. I use with a pair of thin socks, I find it too intense with bare foot on the ball itself. "
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot & Ankle Manual Massage Devices:
Most Cost Effective Massage Roller.
Price:
$6.75
Overview:
Amazing Price, Great Reviews - Non-Freezable Massage Rolling Stick
Pros:
Great for what it does. You roll it back and forth along your plantar fascia massaging the swelling and irritation out. Decreases pain. Thousands of 5 star reviews on Amazon.
Cons:
Is not freezable like the other two options. Massaging a sore muscle without the cold sensation can be very painful and render it useless to you if really sore.
Important Tips:
Two things: Without the freezing component, it may be really painful for a very sore arch (So make sure to use ICE also). Also this only reduces pain, it does not stop the cause! You still need good orthotics, shoes and stretching to stop the pain in the first place!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I stepped on this and moved my foot back and forth and I could hear all the little joints in my foot cracking and relaxing. A week of doing this and icing my foot and I am no longer worried about continuing to train for some marathons! I am healed!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot & Ankle Manual Massage Devices:
Cost Effective Freezable Massage Roller.
Price:
$12.88
Overview:
Great price and it is freezable. Budget friendly freezable massage roller.
Pros:
Excellent reviews. It massages and ices, so it is a step up over the massage rollers. Near 5 star reviews with >500 reviews.
Cons:
It does a great job doing what it is supposed to do. Main downside is that it does not stay cold as long as the premium metal ball.
Important Tips:
Start with socks at first, especially if you have peripheral neuropathy => don't freeze your foot! Remember that you still need good orthotics, good shoes and inserts as well as temporary activity reduction.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"This is such a great foot massager. I bought it for myself and then I bought more to give out as gifts. I normally keep mine under my desk. It's so gratifying to use it while you're doing work on the computer. You really feel the pressure! "
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Menthol Based Gels:
- Biofreeze is one of our favorites.
- These gels have been studied to work 2x as long as ice.
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Best & Proven Pain Relieving Gel.
Roll On Version of Biofreeze Gel.
A giant container of value size biofreeze.
Menthol Based Ointment with Hemp Extract
Price:
$30.78
$27.24
$124.08
$29.99
Overview:
The Proven and Scientifically Published Menthol Based Gel
Same as biofreeze gel, but the roll-on is prefered by some people for their feet, less messy.
8.1 lbs(3.67 kg) of Value Sized Biofreeze!
This is an alternative cream: Basically Biofreeze + hemp extract.
Pros:
Scientifically proven to loosen up and relief pain up to 2x longer than Ice. Less effort than ice and great reviews. 900+ 5 star reviews on Amazon.
The roll-on application of this biofreeze can be easier to apply. Less overall mess.
If you know you already love it and trust the reviews. This is a great value that lasts a long time.
It has great reviews, loved by the all natural crowd. 100s of 5 star reviews with a near perfect rating.
Cons:
Don't put this on open sores or mucous membranes, it will burn! It can run out quick and doesn't prevent pain, just helps it.
Not as easy to spread in other areas, main difference is the roll on applicator, same solution.
A gigantic bottle that could fall over and injure you! Seriously this could be too big in some situations.
Basically looks like menthol(active Biofreeze ingredient), but with hemp extract SKYROCKETING the price.
Important Tips:
Menthol is the active ingredient in this and other hemp based creams. It works similar to ice, but once you apply it you can just move on rather than waiting 20 minutes. **Works great to get your through the night if you have pain sleeping**
Roll-on method is best for the bottom of the feet. No other real advantage. Most patients like it prior to bed for easy sleeping without foot pain.
If you know you love it, this stuff works all over the sore areas in your body not just your foot. I have had many people get me to order this for them in the past and LOVED IT!
The hemp extract is almost nothing and likely a marketing gimmick. It's basically Biofreeze with some hemp extract raising the price.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"Like I stated earlier, I am a huge fan of this product and I will happily buy this product again. I'm so glad I finally found it online (lol), rather than having to make a trip to the pharmacy."
"The main ingredient is menthol and the cool sensation is long lasting. You have to try this product. Trust me, I've tried them all and there's no comparison!"
"This stuff is GREAT! Value sized!!"
"The cream helps with my nerve pain for several hours , giving me relief on the job. It doesn't take much , I use very little , it goes along way, as long as it is rubbed in properly. I will definitely be purchasing this again. I also gave to a friend that has fibromyalgia, she said it helped with her aches and pains to relieve pressure for a few hours. This is definitely a 5 star purchase."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Best & Proven Pain Relieving Gel.
Price:
$30.78
Overview:
The Proven and Scientifically Published Menthol Based Gel
Pros:
Scientifically proven to loosen up and relief pain up to 2x longer than Ice. Less effort than ice and great reviews. 900+ 5 star reviews on Amazon.
Cons:
Don't put this on open sores or mucous membranes, it will burn! It can run out quick and doesn't prevent pain, just helps it.
Important Tips:
Menthol is the active ingredient in this and other hemp based creams. It works similar to ice, but once you apply it you can just move on rather than waiting 20 minutes. **Works great to get your through the night if you have pain sleeping**
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"Like I stated earlier, I am a huge fan of this product and I will happily buy this product again. I'm so glad I finally found it online (lol), rather than having to make a trip to the pharmacy."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Roll On Version of Biofreeze Gel.
Price:
$27.24
Overview:
Same as biofreeze gel, but the roll-on is prefered by some people for their feet, less messy.
Pros:
The roll-on application of this biofreeze can be easier to apply. Less overall mess.
Cons:
Not as easy to spread in other areas, main difference is the roll on applicator, same solution.
Important Tips:
Roll-on method is best for the bottom of the feet. No other real advantage. Most patients like it prior to bed for easy sleeping without foot pain.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"The main ingredient is menthol and the cool sensation is long lasting. You have to try this product. Trust me, I've tried them all and there's no comparison!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
A giant container of value size biofreeze.
Price:
$124.08
Overview:
8.1 lbs(3.67 kg) of Value Sized Biofreeze!
Pros:
If you know you already love it and trust the reviews. This is a great value that lasts a long time.
Cons:
A gigantic bottle that could fall over and injure you! Seriously this could be too big in some situations.
Important Tips:
If you know you love it, this stuff works all over the sore areas in your body not just your foot. I have had many people get me to order this for them in the past and LOVED IT!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"This stuff is GREAT! Value sized!!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Menthol Based Ointment with Hemp Extract
Price:
$29.99
Overview:
This is an alternative cream: Basically Biofreeze + hemp extract.
Pros:
It has great reviews, loved by the all natural crowd. 100s of 5 star reviews with a near perfect rating.
Cons:
Basically looks like menthol(active Biofreeze ingredient), but with hemp extract SKYROCKETING the price.
Important Tips:
The hemp extract is almost nothing and likely a marketing gimmick. It's basically Biofreeze with some hemp extract raising the price.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"The cream helps with my nerve pain for several hours , giving me relief on the job. It doesn't take much , I use very little , it goes along way, as long as it is rubbed in properly. I will definitely be purchasing this again. I also gave to a friend that has fibromyalgia, she said it helped with her aches and pains to relieve pressure for a few hours. This is definitely a 5 star purchase."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Wait it out:
- Take it easy that day, generally doing these things for 1-2 days will start to feel better.
- Go see you podiatrist as soon as possible for steroids or Indomethacin if possible.
- Make sure it’s not a different problem as well!
And to prevent injury in the future… Get GREAT Shoes!
