My Big Toe Was Swollen And I Was Given Prednisone

Posted on Wed, 29 Apr 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 Answered on

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Question : My big toe was swollen and I was given prednisone and told it was gout. After a week it turned real red and then told it was cellulitis and given antibitoics. After two weeks it is still very swollen and now a third doctor found a sall fracture. He said keep taking the antibiotics and prednisone. Won't the prednisone just mask the pain and why am I not being given anything to help the gout? It is very red and the bubble is over an inch large. I am very concerned I am not getting the correct advice

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can be gout or injury.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the attached images. The toe is swollen around the joint. This can be due to gout or due to an injury like a fracture also. For proper diagnosis an X-ray of the toe is needed. You also need to get the serum uric acid levels tested and in case the levels are raised then proper medicine can be started. Meanwhile taking Vitamin C supplements will also help. You can also do a hot compress and see if it helps in relieving the pain. Prednisolone will help in reducing the inflammation and redness only. You can upload the reports for further evaluation.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

My PCP did not request the uric serum blood test. Should I ask that he do one?

He also gave me an additional 7 days of the antibiotic to begin this Friday as my first dose finishes on Thursday. That would mean I would be on Antibiotics for 14 days versus 7 and isn't that a long time for not even being sure if I have an infection? Should I ask as I am hesitant to be on meds for that long if its unnecessary.

I am taking two vitamin C supplements a day already to help combat this

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Investigations are needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
You should ask for serum uric acid levels and an X-ray. The X-ray will help in detecting any bone infection also. Definitive treatment can only be started after a proper diagnosis. After taking antibiotics for 7 days, the symptoms of infection should have reduced. You can ask your PCP for a referral to an orthopedician and for further investigations.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar