Gout – Sole Health

Gout (also known as gouty arthritis) is a condition caused by a buildup of the salts of uric acid (a normal byproduct of the diet) in the joints. A single big toe joint is the most commonly affected area, possibly because it is subject to so much pressure in walking. Attacks of gouty arthritis are extremely painful. Men are more likely to be afflicted than women. Diets heavy in red meat, rich sauces, shellfish, and brandy have been linked to gout. However, other protein compounds in foods, such as lentils and beans, may play a role.

The main symptom of gout is waking up in the middle of the night with an acute throbbing pain in the big toe, which is swollen. The pain lasts for around three or four hours and then subsides. However, pain in the same toe usually returns within a few months.

Gout can be controlled by with prescription medications and diet. Note: Please consult with your physician before taking any medications. The application of ice or cooling lotions helps alleviate pain and swelling during an acute phase. In some cases, specially-made shoes are prescribed to relieve the pain associated with gout.

What is a Podiatrist?
When To Call a Doctor
Foot Problems
- General Statistics
- Achilles Problems
  - Achilles Tendonitis
  - Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction
  - Xanthomas of the Achilles Tendon
- Arch and Ball Problems
  - Flat Feet (over pronation)
  - Metatarsalgia (foot pain in ball)
  - Plantar Fibromas (lumps in the arch of the foot)
  - Sesamoiditis
  - Capsulitis
- Common Foot Injuries
  - Ankle Sprain Injuries
  - Broken Ankle
  - Fractures
  - Osteochondritis (stiff ankle)
  - Osteochondromas
  - Shin Splints
  - Sports Injuries
- Deformities
  - Amniotic Band Syndrome
  - Bunions
  - Claw Toe
  - Clubfoot
  - Dysplasia (Epiphysealis Hemimelica)
  - Enchondroma
  - Flat Feet
  - Gordon Syndrome
  - Haglund’s Deformity
  - Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint)
  - Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe)
  - Hallux Varus
  - Hammertoes
  - Jackson-Weiss Syndrome
  - Mallet Toes
  - Metatarsalgia
  - Osteomyelitis (Bone Infections)
  - Overlapping or Underlapping Toes
  - Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction
  - Sesamoiditis
  - Spurs
  - Tarsal Coalition
  - Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
- Diabetes and Your Feet
- Diseases of the Foot
  - Arthritis
  - Cancer
  - Freiberg’s Disease
  - Gout
  - Kaposi’s Sarcoma (AIDS related)
  - Kohler’s Disease
  - Maffucci’s Syndrome
  - Ollier’s Disease
  - Raynaud’s Disease
  - Sever’s Disease
  - Sever’s Disease
  - Charcot Foot
- Heel Problems
  - Haglund’s Deformity
  - Heel Callus
  - Heel Fissures
  - Plantar Fasciitis (heel spur)
- Nail Problems
  - Black Toenails
  - Ingrown Toenails
  - Nail Fungus
- Skin Problems
  - Allergies
  - Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis)
  - Blisters
  - Burning Feet
  - Calluses
  - Corns
  - Cysts
  - Frostbite
  - Fungus
  - Gangrene
  - Lesions
  - Psoriasis
  - Smelly Feet and Foot Odor
  - Swelling
  - Ulcers
  - Warts
- Toe Problems
  - Bunions
  - Claw Toe
  - Digital Deformity
  - Hallux Limitus (stiff big toe joint)
  - Hallux Rigidis (rigid big toe)
  - Hallux Varus
  - Hammertoes
  - Intoeing
  - Overlapping, Underlapping Toes
  - Subungal Exotosis (bone spur under toenail)
  - Turf Toe
- Vascular/Nerve Problems
  - Acrocyanosis
  - Alcoholic Neuropathy
  - Chilblains (cold feet)
  - Erythromelalgia
  - Ischemic Foot
  - Neuroma
  - Spasms
  - Venous Stasis
- Ankle Problems
  - Ankle Sprain
  - Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain
  - Osteochondritis
- Fungus Problems
  - Common Fungal Problems
  - Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
  - Fungal Nails
Foot Care
- Basic Foot Care Guidelines
- Self-Assessment Quiz
- Athletic Foot Care
- Blisters
- Bunion Prevention
- Burning Feet
- Children’s Feet
- Corns and Calluses
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Foot Care For Seniors
- Fungus Problems
  - Athlete’s Foot
  - Common Fungal Problems
  - Fungal Nails
  - Other Tips
  - Prevention
- Ingrown Nails
- Osteoporosis
- Foot Odor and Smelly Feet
  - Prevention
  - Treating Foot Odor
- Pedicures
- Foot Self-Exam
- Women’s Feet
  - High Heels
  - Pregnancy
  - Stockings?
  - Women Over 65
- Your Feet at Work
- Exercise Those Toes!
Medical Care
- Pain Management
  - General Information and Tips
  - Pain Management for Specific Conditions
- Diagnostic Procedures
  - Computed Tomography
  - MRI
  - Ultrasound
  - X-Rays
- Orthotics
- Surgical Procedures
  - Achilles Surgery
  - Ankle Surgery
  - Arthritis Surgery
  - Arthroscopy
  - Bunion Surgery
  - Cyst Removal
  - Flatfoot Correction
  - General Information
  - Heel Surgery
  - Metatarsal Surgery
  - Nerve Surgery (Neuroma)
  - Toe Surgery
  - Hammertoe Surgery
- Therapies
  - Athlete’s Foot Treatment
  - Cryotherapy
  - Extracorporeal Shock Wave
  - Neurolysis
  - Physical Therapy
  - Iontophoresis
Fitness and Your Feet
- Aerobics
- Exercise Those Toes!
- Fitness And Your Feet
- Sports and Your Feet
  - Jogging and Running
  - Basketball
  - Baseball
  - Cycling
  - Golf
  - Tennis
- Stretching
- Walking and Your Feet
- General Information About Fitness and Your Feet
- Work Footwear
Shoes
- Anatomy of a Shoe
- What To Look For
- Your Footprint
- Wear Patterns
- Children’s Shoes
- Corrective and Prescription Shoes
- Men’s Shoes
- Women’s Shoes
- Athletic Shoe Guidelines
- Getting a Proper Fit
Links
- Government
- Online Resources
- Associations/Groups
Foot Anatomy
Overview of Foot and Ankle Problems
Basic Foot Care Guidelines