Question
hi doctor....
my mom is 53 years old and is suffering from pain in the left ankle the pain is some times burning in the sole and some times pain with pressure from walking on it, and the pain also in some times become in the tendenious part over the ankle bone;also she noticed that it may be in both foots in some days
its really painful and annoying for her
she went to doctors and uric acid analysis is normal ; x ray scan also is normal
she has history of lumber disc protrusion in L4;L5;L6 but doctors said it is very mild ;and history of gout
she is now trying analgesics local and IM and also take vitamin B6 injections , and gout treatment but the case dose not improve
i admit that with meat the pain increase in the second day but the uric acid analysis is free ....
please give me your advise because it really hurt me that i can not help her and as a medical student

Answer
Dear N.A.,
This Orthopedic Chicago Podiatrist located in West Loop 60661,Roscoe Village 60618, Elmhurst 60126 & Bartlett 60103 says...
For the ankle pain--Uric acid in blood analysis  may be negative often, due to the fact that blood uric acid levels return to normal after an attack. A joint analysis for uric acid crystals may be a better test.
Do your homework as to other labs that may indicate gout(not necessary to do-just for you to know).
Try to seek a second opinion-perhaps in a university. A history of gout in the ankle would not produce a "normal x-ray". There would be some arthritic indications.
For gout-have her drink as much water as possible. Avoid coffee & tea. Avoid meat until the attack subsides and then eat a little maybe 2X a week-- Download a gout diet from the internet.(low protein-increase carbs and certain vegetables). Minor bulging of L4, L5 could also produce some symptoms you are mentioning.
Hope this helps
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in orthopedics and sports medicine.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661


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