Question: Hi, i’m concerned that random and not overly frequent flare ups of gout over several years may have permanently damaged my right ankle. I’m 66, relatively healthy, and my current sports are golf and pickleball. I’m not trying to play sports like i’m a youngster, but I end up hobbling both after playing these sports and/or during due to the pain. Should I just accept this condition, seek further diagnosis, is there a supportive ankle wrapping I should try, etc? I was most recently treated for gout in early November. Indomethacin and anti inflammatory support meds eliminate the flare up. It seems only after this last occurrence does there seem to be the hanger on symptoms. thank you

Thanks for your answer, Dr. I have the intention of trying an anti inflammatory cream and a heated wrap. Right now some ankle and foot discomfort persist even though I have not stressed my ankle/foot with sports since an early Tuesday afternoon finish of just 9 holes of golf using a cart and not walking. I guess my question is a bit multi fold ... when I have a gout flare up the pain is sharp and areas around my foot and a little of my ankle can swell. I don’t feel like I have a flare up right now .. no swelling or very sharp pain, but as part of the origin of my initial question, I feel some short timed, lower to medium sharp pain in different areas of my foot and ankle. For instance, although I wear orthotics, today i’m feeling discomfort in the arch of my foot. That was not where pain was yesterday. Also, I can feel a general discomfort in my leg above the ankle, like i’ve had a small muscle strain or over use. So, the questions ... should I expect the persistence of mild pain as part of arthritis brought on by gout? Should I look into more diagnosis, a podiatrist? Should I just continue rest and usage limited to just everyday walking and monitor this for some more days? Thanks.