Why does gout always start from the feet? Is foot pain in the middle of the night gout?

Gout is an arthritis disease, mainly caused by high uric acid levels in the blood, which leads to uric acid deposition and inflammation. The obvious manifestations are redness, swelling, fever, and pain in the joints. Gout requires long-term treatment and conditioning. People with gout will find that gout is particularly prone to occur in the feet. Why is this?

Why does gout start from the feet?

Gout is actually a systemic disease. Due to abnormal metabolism of uric acid in the human body, the concentration of uric acid in the blood increases, which precipitates uric acid crystals and forms tophi. It often occurs in small joints such as toes and fingers, which is related to the lower temperature and pH value in these places.

Some joints in the foot, such as the first metatarsophalangeal joint, instep, and ankle are very fragile, so urate crystals will settle there, causing gout. For gout patients, pay attention to keeping the foot joints warm on a daily basis and avoid trauma to avoid gout attacks.

In addition to the feet, the dorsum of the feet, ankles, knees, hands, and elbows are also most susceptible to joint swelling and pain. Uric acid is most likely to affect the articular cartilage and the soft tissues around the joints. In addition to the kidneys, uric acid can also be deposited in the blood vessel walls, causing corresponding symptoms.

Is the pain in my feet at night caused by gout?

It may be caused by gout, but bone spurs cannot be ruled out. It is recommended to go to the hospital for a blood uric acid test. If it is within the normal range, go to the surgery department to see if you need to take an X-ray of your foot. Generally, a blood uric acid value exceeding 420μmol/L is defined as hyperuricemia. If the uric acid value is high and the toes hurt in the middle of the night, it is very likely that it is an acute attack of gout.

If your uric acid level is normally high, you should be alert to the possibility of gout if you experience toe pain in the middle of the night. Go to the hospital immediately for a check-up to avoid delaying the disease and treatment.

Is pain in the sole of the foot gout?

The possibility of gout in the sole of the foot is the highest, but it is not 100%. It is generally divided into the following situations:

If the joints on the sole of the foot near the big toe are red, swollen and painful, it may be gout, and you can usually tell the answer by getting a uric acid test.

If the pain in the sole of the foot is accompanied by redness, swelling and hot skin, it may be an infection or inflammation, or it may be lymphangitis, venous blockage, or cellulitis.

If you walk, climb, or exercise for a long time, you may have a metatarsal bone fracture, which is medically called a fatigue fracture or a marching fracture. You can confirm it by taking an X-ray.

Some other rare conditions: such as neuralgia, rheumatic autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, tumors, thrombosis and other diseases.