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What Causes Pain And Swelling In Left Foot Of An Athlete?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jun 2016

Question: First I am very active in sports and for my job I walk 13 to 14 hours a day and stay on my feet. Last Saturday I felt pain continue to grow in my left foot. Throughout the night it got to the point I could not stand or put weight on it. It swelled to double the size when I got home. I iced it and stayed off of it as much as possible the last 6 days and have used crutches when I had to get around. The swelling goes down when iced and when I sleep but during the night after the swelling has gone down it becomes extremely painful and keeps me up. When I get up and use the crutches the swelling starts to come back. I can see brusinh on the left side of the foot really well when the swelling goes down. I have yet to see my dr cause this happened once before about 6 months ago but it was better in days. What should I do and what could it be?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It can be Gout

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think you have acute attack of Gout. This is a condition which happens due to high uric acid level. Uric acid rises due to egg, fish, pulses, alcohol. If you eat any of these thing then there is sudden rise in uric acid level and it can cause sharp pain in foot, specially in great toe.
If you symptoms in past also, I would suggest you to get your blood uric acid level. If there is high uric acid level then you need to avoid above mentioned food items in diet.
For pain you can take indomethacin or Brufen tablet. I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if their is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 minutes later)

ok, so I don't have pain in any of my toes. I do eat red meats but no fish or alcohol. is your suggestion that I see my doctor? swelling only occurs if I have been upright or don't keep my foot elevated. like I said the swelling goes down when I sleep but it becomes very painful if moved in the wrong direction.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should get your uric acid level

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I would suggest you to at least get uric acid level. It is common to reduce swelling after lifting of feet or keeping it elevated. You can contact your physician about this also. Other cause can be a tendon swelling. But Gout is my first diagnosis.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar