Gout

Excess uric acid in the body is recognized as the cause of gout. 

The excess can be caused by:

• increase in the production of uric acid by the body.
• By under-elimination of uric acid by the kidneys.
• By increased intake of foods which contain purines which are metabolized to uric acid in the body.

Certain meats, seafood, dried peas, and beans are very high in purines. Alcohol also can increase uric acid levels and precipitate gout attacks.

Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood may result in deposits around the joints (sharp needle-like crystals of monosodium urate). Uric acid also can collect under the skin as tophi, or in the urinary tract as kidney stones.

Colchicine has been the standard treatment for acute gout since the 1800s. Side effects of colchicine include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. When administered as an I.V., the side effects are less common. Because the side effects of colchicine can be problematic, NSAIDs are used to treat acute gout attacks. Indomethacin is the most commonly prescribed NSAID for gout, but it must be watched for toxicity. Aspirin and anything containing it should not be used during acute gout attacks.

For patients who have had multiple gout attacks or developed tophi or kidney stones, normalizing uric acid levels should be considered. Probenecid is a drug which helps the kidneys eliminate uric acid, and allopurinol is a drug which blocks production of uric acid by the body. The drug of choice is determined by the amount of uric acid in the urine.

• Gout affects approximately 840 out of 100,000 people.
• Gout occurs more commonly and at a younger age in men.
• Gout is associated with obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.

Orthotic Consultation for treatment of Gout may include measurement/fitting of appropriate footwear or modification of your footwear during an acute stage of the disorder. Consultations can be arranged by our trained clinical team –  contact us for more information on what is available or to book an appointment.