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Gout Can Produce Extreme Pain
The most common form of inflammatory arthritis is referred to as gout. It is a condition that affects approximately four percent of Americans, and can be caused by genetic factors and eating habits. Common symptoms of this foot condition can include extreme tenderness, debilitating pain in the joints of the big toe, possibly causing difficulty in walking, and the toe may appear to be swollen. Some of the foods that can cause gout to develop include shellfish, red meat, and drinks that are made with large amounts of sugar. The pain comes from excess uric acid caused by elevated purine amounts that form in the joints, and can produce sensations that can feel like crystals in the feet. Mild relief may be found when lifestyle changes occur that include reducing the amount of food that is eaten with high purine levels. If you have frequent gout attacks, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you with proper treatment and prevention options.
Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Pennsylvania Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.
Symptoms
- Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
- Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
- Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
- Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility
Risk Factors
- Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
- Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
- Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
- Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
- Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
- Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout
Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bensalem, Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Yardley, PA, and Hamilton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
How Does Systemic Sclerosis Affect the Feet?
Systemic sclerosis, which is sometimes also known as scleroderma, is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes degeneration and scar formation in the skin, joints, and internal organs. Many people with this condition experience foot problems, including foot pain and deformities in the back of the foot. Since scleroderma causes skin degeneration and scarring, people with this condition are also at an increased risk of developing foot wounds. Abnormalities in the gait or walking pattern are sometimes found in people with this condition as well. If you have scleroderma, regular visits to the podiatrist can help you maintain your foot health, mobility, and quality of life.
When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact one of our podiatrists from Pennsylvania Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.
Systemic Diseases of the Feet
Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.
Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.
Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.
Diabetes of the Feet
Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.
Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet.
If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Bensalem, Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Yardley, PA, and Hamilton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Drop Foot?
Drop foot is a general term used to describe difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, and it can be a symptom of an underlying neurological, muscular, or anatomical problem. Drop foot can affect the way you walk, causing your toes to drag on the floor as you move around. Some people compensate for this issue by lifting their foot too far off the ground and then slapping it down as they walk. This is known as a steppage gait because of its similarity to the gait people use when going up steps. Some people who have drop foot also experience numbness on the top of the foot and the toes. For more information about drop foot and other conditions that affect the feet, please consult with a podiatrist.
Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with one of our podiatrists from Pennsylvania Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Muscle strains
- Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
- Stress fractures
Symptoms
Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:
- Bruising
- Inflammation/ Swelling
- Pain
Diagnosis
To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.
Treatment
Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bensalem, Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Yardley, PA, and Hamilton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?
Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.
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