What Do Swollen And Tender Feet Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 24 Oct 2017

Question: For the last week or so Ive noticed my feet becoming swollen and tender, now my big toe on my right foot is extremely sore to the touch and I can hardly walk, is this a sign of anything ?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
GOUT

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.

The symptoms are highly suggestive of hyperuricemia (Gout).

In this condition,uric acid levels in blood are raised above normal levels.This leads to accumulation of uric acid crystals in the soft tissues around the joints,especially the big toe of foot.The affected area then becomes sore and tender to touch with reddish discoloration.

I would suggest you to take rest,avoid weight bearing on the affected foot as far as possible.Get blood uric acid levels checked.Depending upon the raised levels of uric acid,you should start cochicine/allopurinol tablets.These will lower the uric acid levels.

Consult your family physician/orthopedist to rule out other possibilities like abscess,cellulitis etc.

Avoid hot fomentation.ice packs should be done atleast 3 times a day.

Leg elevation,anti inflammatory tablets like ibuprofen,paracetamol and serratiopeptidase will be of help.

Avoid non vegeterian food,high protein diet and alcohol as these are known to elevate uric acid levels in blood.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana