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What Causes Swollen Ankles And Foot Pain?
Question: Hello. I get swollen ankles and foot pain all the time. I am over weight and have had gout attacks before. I do not think this is gout though. I get pains on the top of my feet.
Brief Answer:
Confirmed by uric acid crystal in joint fluid
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing your query
I have gone through your suffering carefully; the diagnosis of gout is based on clinical examination and blood test –
1. Increased blood level of serum uric acid above 6mg/dl
2. Presence of uric acid crystal in the joint fluid taken from swollen, inflamed joint. This is confirmatory test.
3. Presence of tophi (lump) in the body.
In addition to medication, the following suggestion may help to reduce pain--
1. Ice fomentation- If the pain is not severe, try cold packs or cold compresses on the joint to lessen the inflammation and help the pain. Ice the joint for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day.
2. Rest the joint.-. Raise the joint if you can on a pillow or other soft object.
3. Plenty of water -A lack of water in your body cans makes your uric acid levels raise even higher than they already are. Drinking water will help your body stabilize uric acid to a normal level.
4 Dietary advices- The Purines, which are chemicals found in some food, when they are taken in food are broken down into uric acid. A diet rich in purines can raise uric acid levels in the body, Meat and seafood may increase your risk of gout. Dairy products may lower your risk.
Please feel free to ask me if you have any other query. Do you have a family history of multiple joint pains?
My advice would be visit a rheumatologist/physician for evaluation and treatment.
Hope this information suffices.
Take care
Regards
Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh
Confirmed by uric acid crystal in joint fluid
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing your query
I have gone through your suffering carefully; the diagnosis of gout is based on clinical examination and blood test –
1. Increased blood level of serum uric acid above 6mg/dl
2. Presence of uric acid crystal in the joint fluid taken from swollen, inflamed joint. This is confirmatory test.
3. Presence of tophi (lump) in the body.
In addition to medication, the following suggestion may help to reduce pain--
1. Ice fomentation- If the pain is not severe, try cold packs or cold compresses on the joint to lessen the inflammation and help the pain. Ice the joint for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day.
2. Rest the joint.-. Raise the joint if you can on a pillow or other soft object.
3. Plenty of water -A lack of water in your body cans makes your uric acid levels raise even higher than they already are. Drinking water will help your body stabilize uric acid to a normal level.
4 Dietary advices- The Purines, which are chemicals found in some food, when they are taken in food are broken down into uric acid. A diet rich in purines can raise uric acid levels in the body, Meat and seafood may increase your risk of gout. Dairy products may lower your risk.
Please feel free to ask me if you have any other query. Do you have a family history of multiple joint pains?
My advice would be visit a rheumatologist/physician for evaluation and treatment.
Hope this information suffices.
Take care
Regards
Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Does the body need uric acid? What can I do to stop my body from creating uric acid. I have not eaten any seafood. What foods create the higher risk of forming uric acid? Is there a list of food to avoid for people who suffer from gout? I usually get gout attacks in my big toe knuckle and that is not the case here this time so that is why I did not think it was a gout attack. Is there any medician i could tke now to ease the pain?
thank you.
thank you.
Brief Answer:
Gout a multiple joint disease and can be prevented
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It’s good to see you
After going through the whole discussion, gout not only involves great toe but other big joint’s like ankle,knee,elbow and organs like kidney (stone).Uric acid is toxic material synthesized by body and is excreted out by kidney.
The remedial treatment for gout includes -
1.Pain killer like naproxen, Ibuprofen .along with short course of cortisone.
2.Drugs which lower the uric acid like- allopurinol and febuxostat.
These are prescription only drugs so you may have to contact your local doctor. When the patient is put on allopurinol there may be increase in pain (acute flare up).To counter this pain patient is given anti inflammatory and analgesic drugs along with allopurinol for a month or so. This point should be understood.
It is for the same reason the drug allopurinol is never given during an attack of gout, and it is started only after the pain and swelling has subsided.
Following are the food items which needs to be avoided as they are rich in purines-
1. Organ meats, such as liver, kidney, sweetbreads, and brains, meats, including bacon, beef, pork, and lamb.
2. Anchovies, herring, mackerel.
3. Gravy and Beer.
Food items which are moderately high in purines, but may not raise your risk of gout if are not taken in excess like fish and seafood (other than high purine seafood) oatmeal, wheat XXXXXXX and wheat germ.
Foods that are safe to eat that is they are low in purines like
1. Green vegetables, tomatoes, fruits and fruit juices, breads and cereals that are not whole-grain.
2. Butter, buttermilk, cheese, and eggs Chocolate and cocoa Coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages Peanut butter and nuts.
To prevent gout attack from occurring, my suggestion would be-
1. Try to keep serum uric acid level below 6mg/decilitre.
2. Drink plenty of water and increase it proportionate to your physical work and weather condition. Follow the dietary advice as written above. Take citrus fruit /tab.Limcee to have your daily dose of vitamin C.
3. Try to avoid stressful situation by better planning, weight control and regular exercises helps.
4. If an attack of Gout occurs while on allopurinol, you should increase the dose besides taking pain killer. You may change to febustat if have side effects to allopurinol.
5. Do not discontinue (allopurinol) until and unless advised by your doctor to do so.
6. Avoid drugs which may raise the uric acid level like-aspirin, drugs which causes increased urination (Diuretics).
7. Low fat yogurt and milk may lower your risk of gout
Hope this helps.
Take care
Dr XXXXXXX chugh
Gout a multiple joint disease and can be prevented
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It’s good to see you
After going through the whole discussion, gout not only involves great toe but other big joint’s like ankle,knee,elbow and organs like kidney (stone).Uric acid is toxic material synthesized by body and is excreted out by kidney.
The remedial treatment for gout includes -
1.Pain killer like naproxen, Ibuprofen .along with short course of cortisone.
2.Drugs which lower the uric acid like- allopurinol and febuxostat.
These are prescription only drugs so you may have to contact your local doctor. When the patient is put on allopurinol there may be increase in pain (acute flare up).To counter this pain patient is given anti inflammatory and analgesic drugs along with allopurinol for a month or so. This point should be understood.
It is for the same reason the drug allopurinol is never given during an attack of gout, and it is started only after the pain and swelling has subsided.
Following are the food items which needs to be avoided as they are rich in purines-
1. Organ meats, such as liver, kidney, sweetbreads, and brains, meats, including bacon, beef, pork, and lamb.
2. Anchovies, herring, mackerel.
3. Gravy and Beer.
Food items which are moderately high in purines, but may not raise your risk of gout if are not taken in excess like fish and seafood (other than high purine seafood) oatmeal, wheat XXXXXXX and wheat germ.
Foods that are safe to eat that is they are low in purines like
1. Green vegetables, tomatoes, fruits and fruit juices, breads and cereals that are not whole-grain.
2. Butter, buttermilk, cheese, and eggs Chocolate and cocoa Coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages Peanut butter and nuts.
To prevent gout attack from occurring, my suggestion would be-
1. Try to keep serum uric acid level below 6mg/decilitre.
2. Drink plenty of water and increase it proportionate to your physical work and weather condition. Follow the dietary advice as written above. Take citrus fruit /tab.Limcee to have your daily dose of vitamin C.
3. Try to avoid stressful situation by better planning, weight control and regular exercises helps.
4. If an attack of Gout occurs while on allopurinol, you should increase the dose besides taking pain killer. You may change to febustat if have side effects to allopurinol.
5. Do not discontinue (allopurinol) until and unless advised by your doctor to do so.
6. Avoid drugs which may raise the uric acid level like-aspirin, drugs which causes increased urination (Diuretics).
7. Low fat yogurt and milk may lower your risk of gout
Hope this helps.
Take care
Dr XXXXXXX chugh
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
Answered by
Dr. Mukesh Chugh
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1997
Answered : 1619 Questions
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