Treating an acute gout attack can make our team at Arbor Foot Health feel like magicians.

An acute gout attack often will wake you up with pain in your great toe joint, (your big toe). Gout can occur in any joint, but it is most common in the great toe joint. Some foods and drinks can bring on a gout attack, but that is beyond the scope of this blog. Learn more about them here.  I refer gout patients back to their medical doctors for evaluation of the cause and long-range treatment of the root problem, excess uric acid in the body. This can be caused by either making too much of the acid, or not being able to get rid of it. Genetics, alcohol use, diseases and other factors can contribute.

Where we create magic is relieving severe pain from the acute attack. Dr. Prant performs a specific nerve block with a long-lasting local anesthetic. As a board-certified foot surgeon and podiatrist, he is an old hand at finding the precise location for this block, decreasing any pain from this procedure. He prescribes a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and provide you a list of foods that can exacerbate gout.

By the time you leave the office, you will have significant relief of your pain. By the time the affected area “wakes up” usually 80 to 100 percent of the pain is gone! You may even think wer're magicians!