Bunion Vs Gout: What Is the Difference?

Most people tend to confuse bunions and gout and use self-diagnosis to determine their medical condition. Here are a few easy ways to properly tell them apart.


While some websites can tell you more about your ailment and the type of medical condition you have, they aren’t 100% right all the time. When it comes to foot ailments, bumps, lumps and more, they all start to look the same so how are you supposed to know? 


Here are some ways to differentiate between bunions and gout and tell them apart.


Symptoms of Bunions vs Gout


Gout

Gout can be characterized by joint pain and even though it commonly affects your big toe, it can affect your joints as well. With gout, your joint will swell, get red, tender, warm and show signs of inflammation and this can make moving your joints quite difficult as this ailment progresses. 


Bunions

If you are getting persistent or intermittent joint pain in your big toe then it can be a symptom of a bunion. Notice if a protruding bump emerges from the base of your big toe and the area will usually be red, sore and swollen. If you notice the area around your big toe giving you pain or it may become difficult to move and can develop calluses or corns where the first and second toes overlap then you know you’re dealing with a bunion. 


The Causes


Gout

Gout happens when urate crystals accumulate in one or more of your joints, this can happen in individuals who have high levels of uric acid in their blood and their body or their kidneys are not able to process it properly. When this happens, uric acid builds up and can form sharp, needle like crystals which can cause joint pain and inflammation.


Bunions

A bump on the joint at the base of your big toe is called a bunion. If your big toe is pushing against the toe next to it, it can force this joint to grow and stick out. There are a lot of factors that can lead to the growth of a bunion, some of which are due to injury, heredity or even a congenital deformity. Most bunion surgeons in Baltimore also believe that this may be caused due to ill-fitting, narrow or high heeled shoes or a few other factors that contribute to it.  



How to Diagnose?


Gout

To diagnose gout your medical professional might send you for a blood test, a joint fluid test, an X-ray, a urine test or even an ultrasound.


Bunion

Before any bunion treatment in Baltimore your podiatrist will most likely ask you to take an x-ray to determine the severity and cause of the bunion or may be able to diagnose it with the help of a foot examination. 



How to Take Care?


Gout

Unlike bunion, your doctor might recommend non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug therapy, coxib therapy, corticosteroids and more and might recommend a few changes to your health and lifestyle on a daily basis like regular exercise, weight loss, consuming less red meat, alcohol, seafood, sweetened beverages and fructose.


Bunions

When treating bunions, your physician will prescribe conservative treatment like applying ice packs to reduce soreness and inflammation, over the counter bunion pads to relieve pressure from footwear as well as taping your foot in a certain position for pain relief. Your bunion surgeon in Baltimore may also prescribe over the counter painkillers to control pain and will tell you to wear shoes that have plenty of room for your toes. If this doesn’t work then other bunion treatment in Baltimore options include removing tissue from the area around your big toe, removing bone to straighten out your big toe, permanently joining the bones of your big toe and more.


The Takeaway,

Differentiating between gout and a bunion can be tricky but you need to go to a medical professional instead of treating this ailment on your own. If you have persistent pain and swelling in your big toe or a bump then its better to make an appointment with your doctor to know what condition you have, so you can get it treated right away.


At Podiatry Associates they help you determine the best possible treatment option for your bunion from non-surgical to surgical treatments depending on the condition and the stage it has reached to provide you with relief. 

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