Solutions and Tips on Alleviating Pain caused by Gout

Jennifer Wang

What is Gout?

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in your joints. When your body has extra uric acid, sharp crystals can form in your joints (usually your big toe). But it can affect other joints, including your knees, ankles, feet, hands and wrists, and elbows.
 
Flare-ups of symptoms like pain and swelling come and go in periods called gout attacks. Treatment is usually a combination of symptom management and changing your diet.
 

What are the first signs of having gout?

During a gout attack, symptoms in your affected joints may include:

  • Intense pain.
  • Discoloration or redness.
  • Stiffness.
  • Swelling.
  • Tenderness, even to a light touch (like a bedsheet covering your affected joint).
  • Warmth, or a feeling like the joint is “on fire.”

 

What causes gout?

It’s caused by a buildup of excess uric acid in the body. Kidneys usually filter uric acid out of the blood, eliminating it via the urine. When the body makes too much uric acid, or the kidneys can’t remove it from the blood fast enough, the uric acid crystals build up and settle in the joints. These sharp crystals clump together, causing sudden episodes of pain, swelling and other symptoms.

Risk factors

Anyone can get gout. Men are three times more likely to develop gout, while women usually don’t experience gout until after menopause. Other health conditions can make it more likely to develop gout, such as: being overweight or obese, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease or blood cancer. Eating or drinking certain foods (high in purines) can increase the risk: sugary drinks and sweets, high fructose corn syrup, alcohol, organ meats, game meats, some seafoods, red meat, processed turkey meats, gravy and meat sauces.

Management and treatment

Treating gout is usually a combination of managing symptoms during a flare up and reducing how often you consume high-purine foods and drinks.

People with gout in the big toe or feet need to wear footwear that accommodate the swelling, without causing undue pressure.

Paradigm Medical offers solutions to help alleviate the pain associated with Gout.

Look for footwear with the following characteristics:

  • Ergonomic sole with a mild rocker design that help propel the foot forward with minimal joint motion, eliminating stress at the toes.
  • Premium orthotic insoles with an anatomical arch support to control overpronation and help ease stress on the joints of the foot.
  • Stretchable upper with soft padded interior for a gentle contact with the foot, eliminating pressure on the forefoot and toes.
  • Wide toe box and extra depth design for a relaxed fit and extra roominess for the toes.

 

FEATURED  FOOTWEAR
with the above characteristics:

Podowell Altitude

Extra Wide width shoe. Foot insertion faciliated by a rear Velcro Flap. Machine washable.

 

  

Podowell Aladin

A lightweight shoe for men and women with a double strap hook and loop closure. Has a larger than normal front volume with no projecting seam inside. Removable insert allows for custom orthotics. Machine washable at 30 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Pedors Classic

Extremely lightweight unisex shoe with single strap hook and loop closure with a stretch, no toe-cap forefront to accommodate all forefoot abnormalities. Removable insert allows for custom orthotics. Pedoprene forefoot can be heat molded. 

 

 

Pedors Stretch Walker

  • Considerable extra deep walking shoe
  • Dual strap hook and loop
  • Wide opening for bandaged or swollen feet
  • Accommodates AFO’s bracing
  • Three removable inserts for custom orthotics
  • Total 5/8th removable depth
  • Durable, modifiable sole for external leg length discrepancy adjustment
  • Moldable dorsal panel

 

Chaplin

The dapper and distinct Chaplin men’s orthopedic shoe is designed with a leather and mesh upper and additional padding including padding of the heel and tongue. It offers plenty of toe wiggle room and the outsole has a composite shank to help prevent foot roll. 

 

 

 

Eliza

Offers plenty of toe wiggle room with its wide toe box, while providing premium ball and forefoot support with added padding and protection. This diabetic shoe is designed with a leather and mesh upper and additional padding including padding of the heel and tongue. 

 

 

 

Protect the inflamed big toe by using goSeamless products:

The goSeamless All Gel Bunion Guard is a soft, flexible, all medical-grade gel shield that cushions, protects, and reduces pressure on bunions. There are two versions: one that provides protection of the hallux (big toe) and one for tailor’s bunion (pinky toe). The product is reusable and can be gently hand washed with water.

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