What causes gout toe pain?

(Image copyright Nucleus Communications)

Gout is known to affect many joints including the knee, wrists, fingers, elbows, thumbs, ankles and even instep! However, in the majority of cases (around 75%) it affects the big toe. Often the first signs of gout disease are big toe pain or big toe inflammation and tenderness.

Interestingly, why does it target the big toe? The answer is unknown, but one prominent theory suggests the big toe is one of the fatherliest joints from the heart and therefore the blood is cooler around this joint which may contribute to uric acid crystal formation. This is further supported by anecdotal stories that a warm bath may alleviate big toe pain.