Gout
Gout is caused by increased uric acid in the body. Uric acid can accumulate so much that it form into large crystals an get deposited into joints and tissues.
There are basically 2 ways people develop gout:
1. Metabolic Gout: Every person has a “factory” inside their body that makes uric acid. If the “factory” works too hard and too much uric acid is produced, excess uric acid is then redistributed by the blood to the joints and soft tissues. Diets that have a high purine content is usually the primary cause for this particular type of gout.
2. Renal Gout: If a person has normal “factory” and produces a “normal” amount of uric acid, but the kidneys can’t pee the uric acid out fast enough, then uric acid can accumulate in the body. Primary renal gout is usually due to kidney disease but can also be due to diuretics.
There are basically 2 forms of gouty arthritis:
1. Acute Gouty Arthritis: This type of gout usually affects one joint, has a sudden onset and very painful inflammation. The joint is red, hot, swollen and has excruciating pain. The joint is often stiff and oftentimes the joint is so painful the sheets can’t touch it.
2. Chronic Gouty Arthritis: In this type of gout, people can develop collections of uric acid crystals called tophi or a tophus. These tophi can be deposited in the soft tissues, ligaments, tendons and joints. Sometimes the tophi can poke through the skin and drain a white chalky substance resembling cottage cheese.
The most common areas for gout to manifest are in the great toe joint, the back of the heel where the achilles tendon inserts, the ankle, hand, wrist, elbow and knee.
Treatment of Gout
Medications often used treat gout are the following:
1. Indomethacin – for acute gout inflammation
2. Colchicine – for acute gout inflammation
3. Allopurinol – for people who overproduce uric acid
4. Probenecid – for people who underexcrete uric acid
5. Sulfinpyrazole – for people who underexcrete uric acid
If you think you may have gout and want to have it checked, please come see Dr. Kory Williams and Dr. Eric Silvers at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center in McKinney and Prosper, TX. Call 972-542-2155 for an appointment.
~Dr. Williams
