M10.17: Lead-induced gout Ankle and foot

You have lead poisoning, which is causing discomfort in your ankle or foot.

At their lower end, the two lower leg bones have a bony prominence. These bony prominences on the ankles are called malleolus bones. The ankle joint is between the lower leg and the foot. There is an upper and lower ankle joint. The foot and toes consists of a lot of small bones and joints. At the back is the tarsus, followed by the metatarsus and then the individual phalanges of the feet.

Lead poisoning can cause gout. Gout involves uric acid crystals being deposited in tissue and causing discomfort. Uric acid crystals may be deposited when there is too much uric acid in someone’s blood. Uric acid is excreted by the kidney. Lead poisoning can temporarily disturb the work done by the kidneys, or damage the kidneys permanently. If the kidneys are not working properly, less uric acid than usual may be excreted. This results in excess uric acid in the blood.

When uric acid crystals are deposited in joints, the joints affected may become inflamed, or damaged in some other way. Lead poisoning can also cause other types of joint inflammation. An inflammation in the joints can cause various symptoms. Typical is a swollen, painful joint. The skin above the joint may also be red. It may also no longer be possible to move the joint as usual.

Lead poisoning can also make bones in some places harder than they usually are. When bones are harder than usual they are less elastic and more brittle.