Does a Bed Sheet Make Your Toe Hurt?

Do you have such extreme pain that you can’t bear a sheet to touch your toe or your ankle? Do you have a joint that is red, hot and swollen? If any of these characteristics describe your current symptoms, it is possible that you may have gout.

Gout is a condition where the uric acid in your body is not being properly metabolized and the urate crystals collect in a joint. One way that your gout can be diagnosed is by drawing some of the fluid out of your joint for analysis to make the definitive diagnosis. This collection of crystals is very painful and if they are left untreated for too long they can start to erode the bone and lead to areas that appear to be chewed out on an x-ray. Ultimately this can lead to joint destruction.

So, what can be done for your gout? There are medications that can be taken in the instance of an acute attack and then medications that can be taken to prevent an acute attack from occurring. In very serious situations, the crystal formations will need to be removed.  There are also diet changes and restrictions that will need to be made to help with preventing another attack.

If you are having the above mentioned symptoms of gout, then it is important that you seek help from your podiatrist. It is very important that you seek medical care to prevent further damage from a chronic condition. If you live in the Bradford or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835