Gout is a well-known and common problem that affects the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the feet.
In Downtown and Midtown Manhattan gout is treated by Dr. Miguel Cunha and the physicians at Gotham Footcare.
Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in a joint, typically the great toe joint.
Uric acid is formed from the breakdown of purines, substances that are naturally found in the body. Purines are also found in certain foods that are high in protein such as meat and seafood, as well as sweetened drinks, and alcoholic beverages, especially beer. Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and gets filtered by your kidneys into your urine. Sometimes, uric acid is either overproduced by the body or under-excreted by your kidneys.
When this happens, uric acid can accumulate in your blood and crystallize in your joint, causing a sudden gout attack which causes your joint to become severely painful, red, hot, and swollen. This attack often occurs in the middle of the night giving you the burning sensation on the affected joint and can be so severe that even the weight of your bed sheet on it may seem intolerable.
At Gotham Footcare in New York gout is diagnosed by your doctor who may perform the following tests:
At Gotham Footcare, the first step in the treatment of acute gout is to eliminate or reduce the pain by decreasing inflammation of the joint. Your doctor will prescribe pain-relieving medications, which may include:
Colchicine
Your doctor may prescribe Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare), a type of pain reliever that effectively reduces gout pain by inhibiting the immunological response of white blood cells that cause the symptoms of Gout.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid medications, such as the drug prednisone, are generally used in patients with gout who cannot take either NSAIDs or colchicine. Corticosteroids may be in pill form, or they can be injected into your joint.
(NSAID’s) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSAIDs such as over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can be taken or your doctor will prescribe a more-powerful NSAID such as celecoxib (Celebrex) or indomethacin (Indocin), which is the traditional drug of choice for Gout.
The second part of acute gout treatment consists of taking prescription medication to lower the levels of uric acid in your body. At Gotham Footcare, your doctor will explain the various medications available, how they differ, and their potential side effects. The medication provided by your New York gout treatment provider will be based on what is the most appropriate in consideration of your lifestyle and current health status. Some medications may be used to treat acute Gout and others will be used to prevent chronic Gout.
Last but not least, at Gotham Footcare, your doctor will have a thorough discussion with you on the necessary lifestyle changes that you will need to make including increased exercise, weight loss, and modifications in your diet to help prevent future gout attacks.
At Gotham Footcare in NYC, we strive at recognizing your individual needs and desired outcomes while formulating an effective and personalized treatment plan with the highest quality care available.
What sets Gotham Footcare apart from other podiatry offices is our dedication to providing you with the education you need to make well-informed decisions regarding your care. Regardless of what your foot and ankle trouble may be, at Gotham Footcare our team will work tirelessly to help you feel better. At Gotham Footcare, we help you put your best foot forward.
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