Condition
Gout in the Foot
What gout is, how it is treated, and where a foot and ankle physician fits in — including what regenerative medicine cannot do.
About the condition
What gout in the foot is
Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Sudden, intense pain in a joint — most often the big toe
- A hot, red, swollen joint that is very tender to touch
- Pain that peaks within a day and can last days to weeks
- Repeat attacks, sometimes with firm lumps under the skin over time
Causes and usual care
Gout develops when there is too much uric acid in the blood and it crystallizes in a joint. Diet, alcohol, some medicines, kidney function, body weight and family history all play a part. A hot, swollen joint can also be an infection, so a sudden attack should be checked by a physician.
Gout is a medical condition, managed with medicines that settle an attack and, for people with repeated attacks, long-term medicines that lower uric acid — usually by your primary care physician or a rheumatologist — together with changes to diet and alcohol. Diagnosis sometimes involves testing fluid from the joint.
Regenerative care
Where we can help
- Confirming the cause of a painful, swollen joint in the foot or ankle
- A big-toe or ankle joint left stiff and painful after repeated gout attacks
- Arthritis in a joint damaged by gout, once the gout itself is being treated
Not everyone is a candidate. Our physicians evaluate your condition and imaging before recommending any treatment.
When it is not the right answer
Regenerative medicine does not treat gout or lower uric acid, and it is not a substitute for gout medicine. If you are having an attack now, see your primary care physician or urgent care — especially if you have a fever.
Your options
Regenerative options we may use
Where we treat it
Our locations
Most consultations begin as a telehealth call, so you can start without travelling to a clinic.
Gout in the Foot — common questions
Can regenerative medicine cure gout?
No. Gout is managed with medicines that settle attacks and lower uric acid, usually by your primary care physician or a rheumatologist. Where we can help is with a foot or ankle joint that stays painful and stiff after repeated attacks.
Why does gout affect the big toe?
The big-toe joint is the most common site of gout. Uric acid crystals form more readily in cooler joints far from the centre of the body, and the big toe takes heavy load with every step.
Is a hot, swollen toe always gout?
No. Infection and other forms of arthritis can look the same, which is why a sudden hot, swollen joint should be checked by a physician — urgently if you have a fever.
Is the consultation free?
Yes. Your consultation is free, and you will get specific numbers for your own plan before you commit to anything. Most consultations begin as a telehealth call.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. If you have imaging, a physician will review it as part of your consultation.
Request an evaluation
Request your free consultation
Tell us what's going on and we'll call you back to arrange a time. Most consultations begin as a telehealth call, so you can start without travelling to a clinic. No referral needed.
Talk to a physician about gout in the foot.
Speak with a physician specialist about your options — including when regenerative treatment is not the answer.