Can you get gout from a sprained ankle?
@Gorillafootprints925 (3586)
United States
2 responses
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
24 Jul 10
A sprained ankle cannot cause gout. Gout is due to crystals of urea occurring in the joints of the extremities, very commonly the big toe. It is these crystals which are responsible for the excruciating pain and the swelling.
Gout occurs when there are high levels of uric acid in the blood and this is usually associated with a rich and unhealthy diet.
If your sprained ankle is still painful and has some swelling after a month it either indicates that the damage was worse than you thought or that you have not been giving the ankle enough rest.
@Gorillafootprints925 (3586)
• United States
24 Jul 10
Thanks for clearing that up, now I know. There is no pain its just that it appears inflated compared to my other ankle.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
25 Jul 10
Swelling indicates that your body is still supplying fluids and other stuff to cushion and heal the damage.
A sprained ankle is when ligaments and muscle are torn and need to heal. Usually the treatment is bandaging to support and constrain the damaged parts and REST! The damage cannot heal itself properly if strain is continually being put on the damaged tissue. Most people become impatient and try to do more than they should. I suspect that (since you are 19) that is quite likely the case.
Did you even consult a medic or have it assessed by anyone with medical training when you first sprained it? If so, did you follow their advice? I suspect not! (Been there, done that!)
