Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries — acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Foot & Ankle · Conditions A–Z
Gout crystal arthritis
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition in a joint — classically the big toe — producing sudden severe pain, redness, and swelling. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Experts in foot & ankle care.
Surgical and non-surgical options at LAOSS.
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What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles–area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Gout is one of many foot & ankle conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Flares are treated with medication — NSAIDs, colchicine, or corticosteroids, sometimes as a joint injection; urate-lowering therapy prevents the next one.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles–area locations.
Overview
What is gout?
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition in a joint — classically the big toe — producing sudden severe pain, redness, and swelling. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Gout is treated with medication, not surgery. Flares settle with NSAIDs, colchicine, or corticosteroids — including a corticosteroid injection into the joint when a single joint is severely inflamed. Just as important is prevention: long-term urate-lowering medication (such as allopurinol), coordinated with your primary care physician, plus dietary changes, keeps attacks from recurring and stops crystal deposits (tophi) from damaging the joint. Surgery is rare — reserved for removing large tophi or repairing a joint damaged by years of untreated gout.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose gout, and the full range of treatment options — from the simplest to the most involved.
Anatomy of the foot & ankle — tibia, talus, calcaneus, metatarsals, and the plantar fascia.
Anatomy
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn't match the way your foot is built.
Self-orient
When gout shows up.
Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Sudden onset of severe joint pain, often at night
- Redness, warmth, and swelling of the joint
- Difficulty walking
- Symptoms peak in 12–24 hours then gradually resolve
Causes
Common causes
- Elevated uric acid level
- Diet high in purines (red meat, shellfish, alcohol)
- Kidney disease reducing uric acid excretion
- Family history
Diagnostics
How we diagnose gout
You want answers, fast — and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for gout typically looks like:
- Detailed history — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the foot & ankle — range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation with a trusted Greater Los Angeles orthopedic expert today.
Treatment options
How we treat gout at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits — and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Treating the flare & preventing the next
Gout responds quickly to the right medication — and stays away with the right prevention.
- NSAIDs, colchicine, or oral corticosteroids for acute flares
- Corticosteroid injection into a severely inflamed joint
- Urate-lowering therapy (such as allopurinol) to prevent recurrence
- Dietary guidance — limiting alcohol, sugary drinks, and purine-rich foods
- Review of medications and hydration that affect uric acid
Surgical care
When neededProcedures for advanced gout
Rarely needed — reserved for joints damaged by years of uncontrolled disease.
- Removal of large or ulcerating tophi
- Debridement of crystal-damaged joints
- Fusion or reconstruction for end-stage joint destruction
Surgeon expertise
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise — start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Candidacy
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the foot & ankle that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
Evaluation
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history — onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Recovery
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line — but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
01Days 0–14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the foot & ankle, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
02Weeks 2–8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the foot & ankle.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
03Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there — and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient — informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Specific
Foot & ankle-specific considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Your care team
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists combine advanced surgical expertise with a patient-first approach. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. Trusted across Los Angeles, our team is dedicated to restoring mobility, relieving pain, and helping you return to the activities you love.
Specialists
Meet your foot & ankle specialists.
4 providers
About this care
Reliable Gout pain relief starts here
Don't let gout be something you just power through. At LAOSS, expert care is close to home. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. Our team offers comprehensive treatment from diagnosis through recovery. Whether you need rapid flare treatment, a joint injection, or a long-term prevention plan, you'll receive coordinated, personalized care every step of the way.
Call or schedule online today to begin your recovery with a trusted foot & ankle specialist in Los Angeles. Relief, confidence, and renewed strength are within reach.
FAQ
Common gout questions
- The gold standard is joint aspiration — drawing fluid from the inflamed joint to identify uric acid crystals under the microscope, which also rules out infection. Exam, blood uric acid levels, and imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) round out the picture. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
- Almost never. Gout is controlled with medication — flare treatment plus long-term urate-lowering therapy — and most patients who stay on prevention never need anything more. Surgery is reserved for late complications: removing large tophi or repairing a joint destroyed by years of untreated disease. The best way to avoid it is treating the gout, not the aftermath.
- If foot & ankle pain lasts more than a few days, limits movement, or interferes with daily activities, it's time to see a doctor. Sudden injuries, swelling, or weakness should be evaluated right away.
- If you have a PPO plan, no referral is needed — book directly with any of our specialists. HMO plans require a referral from your PCP. If you are unsure, call us at (323) 264-7600 and our team will walk you through it.
Ready when you are
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles–area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
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