Gout is a form of arthritis that is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. This considered to be one of the most frequently recorded medical illnesses throughout history. Gout occurrences in the US have risen within the past twenty years and the condition now affects 8.3 million people which is 4% of all Americans. Researchers have found that gout affects men more than women and African-American men more than white men. 

Symptoms of gout are warmth, swelling, discoloration, and tenderness in the affected joint area. The small joint on the big toe is the most common place for a gout attack to occur.

People who are obese, gain weight excessively, drink alcohol heavily, have high blood pressure, or have abnormal kidney function are more likely to develop gout. Furthermore, certain drugs and diseases are likely to increase levels of uric acid in the joints which eventually leads to gout. You are also more likely to develop gout if you eat a lot of meat and fish.

Many who experience gout attacks will experience repeated attacks over the years. Some people who have gout symptoms, may never have them again, but others may experience them several times a year. If you have gout symptoms throughout the year, you may have recurrent gout. Those who have gout should also be careful about their urate crystals collecting in their urinary tract, because this may lead to kidney stones.

Diagnosis for gout is done by checking the level of uric acid in the joints and blood. Your podiatrist may also prescribe medicine to reduce uric acid buildup in the blood, which will help prevent any gout attacks.

To treat gout, your podiatrist may also prescribe you Anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) which will relieve the pain and swelling of a gout episode and it can also shorten a gout attack. Maintaining a healthy diet is also a proven method to prevent gout attacks. 

The bunion deformity is an inherited foot structure issue.  Most people that develop a bunion have a family history of bunions.  They usually have a parent or grandparent that has a similar type of foot or foot problem.  The foot structure that predisposes one to a bunion can be inherited.  Usually this type of foot is more prone to flattening or pronating and this over time can result in a bunion. There are other factors that can accelerate the development of a bunion as well.

Wearing high heel shoes has been shown to put more pressure on the forefoot and therefore speed up the process of developing a bunion.  Additionally any exercise that puts increased force on the foot can technically speed up the growth of a bunion i.e. running, jumping or similar exercises.  The bunion develops as the body tries to stabilize the foot with these activities.

The bunion is a shifting of the 1^st metatarsal bone to try and control abnormal flattening of the arch.  This is one of the first adaptations the body utilizes.  Patients often think there is a growth of bone at the site but technically it is the bone shifting out of place that occurs and creates the illusion of something growing.  This is why there are no conservative measures that can move the bone back into correct alignment and why surgery is the only long term fix.

Surgery for bunion surgeries has really changed in the last couple decades.  New techniques allow for a much faster recovery and healing times.  If you have a painful bunion or would just like a consultation on bunions in general I can help. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,
Dr Brandon Nelson

Waking up in the morning is hard enough.  It becomes even harder when you have pain with putting your feet down.  Morning pain or first step pain is usually an indicator of plantar fasciitis.  I am going to briefly describe why we get it and what we can do to relieve it.

When we sleep at night our foot and ankle are in a plantar flexed position.  This means our foot is bending forwards as well as our ankle.  Positioning like this creates soft tissue relaxation.  Specifically our Achilles tendon and plantar fascia have decreased tension on them.  This allows tightening of our tissues and as we sleep the inflammation from the previous day settles in.  Then as we place our foot on the ground to step out of bed we stretch and place load on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon.  This causes pain and discomfort immediately and leads to a cycle of inflammation.  There are a few tricks you can do to help this.

Morning pain can be alleviated and here are a few ideas to help;

1.     Before you get out of bed, write the alphabet with your toes.  This will help loosen up your tissue and stimulate blood supply and lubrication of those tendons and fascia.

2.     Stretch, start with stretching in bed work on your posterior chain.  It can be quite helpful to stretch your Achilles and your fascia.

I do think it is important to seek a physician before starting any of these options.  It is essential to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.  If you are having heel pain I can help. If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr Brandon Nelson