Gout in Ankle
What is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by high levels of uric acid in the body.
What Causes Gout?
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, in this case, the ankle. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines — substances that are found naturally in your body and certain foods.
Purines are found in:
- Red meat and organ meats
- Anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, and tuna
- Alcoholic beverages, especially beer, and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose)
Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. Sometimes your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys can’t rid your body of uric acid efficiently enough. When this happens, uric acid builds up forming urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation, and swelling.
Gout Symptoms
Symptoms of gout may include:
- Ankle pain
- Ankle swelling
- Ankle redness
- The ankle feels warm
- Ankle stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
Gout Diagnosis
Our ankle specialists can determine whether your ankle pain is caused by gout. Your doctor will take your medical history and ask you about your symptoms. Your doctor may also do some tests such as:
- Joint fluid test – Draw fluid from your affected joint to look for urate crystals
- Blood test – to look for high levels of uric acid
- X-rays – to rule out other causes of joint inflammation
- Ultrasound – to detect urate crystals
- Dual-energy computerized tomography (DECT) – combines
- X-ray images taken from many different angles to visualize urate crystals in joints
Gout Treatment
Our ankle specialists can develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Your doctor may recommend:
- Medications that block uric acid production
- Medications that improve uric acid removal
- Choosing healthier beverages
- Avoiding foods high in purines
- Managing your weight
- Regular exercise, especially low-impact activities like walking, bicycling, and swimming
