Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
July 17, 2017
One of the most debilitating and emotionally discouraging conditions for our patients is gout. Frisco patients that suffer from gout are often immobilized for hours or even days because of the pain. Many have to use crutches to move around. Gout most commonly impacts the joints of the big toe but it is absolutely possible for gout to strike in the ankle. Here, we are going to look at a few of the possible reasons why that might be. But if you’re suffering from gout, your best course of action is to call Dr. Verville today at (214) 385-8822. Be sure to also take a look through our Reviews page to see some of the wonderful things that our patients have to say about Dr. Verville.
What is Gout?
Frisco patients that suffer from gout are often shocked to learn that it is actually a form of arthritis. In the case of gout, the pain is caused by something called uric acid. When you eat certain foods like red meat, alcohol, and corn syrup, your body forms uric acid as it digests the food.
Usually, uric acid is filtered out by the kidneys and expelled in urine. But with gout, the uric acid builds up in the body and eventually forms needle-like crystals. The crystals then start to collect in the joints, most commonly in the joint of the big toe. But it is certainly possible for those uric acid crystals to collect in the ankle.
Symptoms of Ankle Gout
Doctors can sometimes misdiagnose gout in the ankles as a variety of other illnesses like a sprained ankle or cellulitis. But there are a few symptoms that Frisco patients can look for that could indicate it’s actually gout.
Pain – While a sprained ankle may be tender, gout is usually extremely painful. Many patients find it difficult to even walk during a gout attack.
Stiffness – Many patients report that their ankle joint will become stiff when a gout attack is setting in. It may start with a dull ache that turns into severe stiffness.
Color – Joint affected by gout will almost always be very red, often a very bright red.
Swelling – Of course, another symptom of gout is intense swelling at the joint.
Texture – Another telltale sign of gout is that the skin will be shiny.
Temperature – With gout, the ankle joint will be very warm to the touch.
Why Work with Dr. Verville for Your Gout
Frisco patients suffering from gout can get some of the finest treatment with Dr. Verville. She’s been a practicing podiatrist for over 10 years and has performed over 1,500 surgical procedures. On top of that, patients love how gentle and compassionate she is with all of her patients. Dr. Verville works hard to develop strong and transparent relationships with all of her patients so that they feel comfortable and welcomed by her. We know that gout can be excruciatingly painful so make sure that you call Dr. Verville today for a consultation at (214) 385-8822. We would love to learn more about you and how we can help.
