Difference Between Gout and Bunion (With Table)

Bone disfigurements are general, but they can also be serious when they are ignored. While some of them are not that severe, but for the corresponding prescription and diagnosis are essential to reduce their inevitable expansion. 

Eventually, after constant ignoring, the health problems of bones can change into critical intricacies. That may aggravate diseases like osteoporosis or arthritis. Among those Gouts and Bunions are most of the time confused with one another. Specifically, these make it even harder to walk, stand, move, or do other basics and motor functions. 

Gout vs Bunion

The main difference Between Gout and Bunion is their causes of emergence. Gouts are caused due to the accumulation of urate crystals in any one or more joints in the body. Whereas, Bunions are occurred due to heredity, injury, or congenital and anatomical deformity.

Comparison Table Between Gout and Bunion

Parameters of Comparison

Gout

Bunion

Definitions

Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by severe pain, redness, and tenderness in one or more joints.

A bunion is a thick and small bump that forms on the joint near the big toe.

Medical Terms

In scientific terms, it is called ‘Gouty Arthritis.’

In scientific terms, it is called ‘Hallux Valgus.’

Symptoms

The difficulty in moving or unable to move joints; and severe pain, swelling, and redness can be the common symptoms.

Joint pain in the big toe of the legs, a small bump, swelling, calluses (skin thickening), itching, and difficulty to move the big toe of the leg.

Emergence

Gouts are emerged due to the accumulation of urate crystals in any one or more joints in the body.

Bunions are emerged due to heredity, injury, or congenital and anatomical deformity.

Occurrence

Its occurrence is controllable by controlling uric acid limits.

Its occurrence cannot be controlled as it is ancestral.

Identification

It is diagnosed by performing an X-ray, an ultrasound scan, blood, urine, or the joint fluid test.

It is diagnosed by performing an X-ray scan of feet to confirm. And in rare cases, a blood test is recommended.

Procurements

It needs a medical diagnosis.

It is usually self diagnosable but sometimes needs medical interpretation.

Home Remedies

Dietary adjustments, exercising, weight loss, the healthy and stress-free living are the home therapies suggested by doctors.

Doctors suggest Bunion pads, Shoe inserts, ice packs, and painkillers. Also, gently tapping the foot to massage can help.

Surgical Treatments

Colchicine, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NAID), Corticosteroids, Coxib, Dual Energy CT scan, Uricosurics, or Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors (XOI) therapies are suggested for treatment.

Removing bone or tissue from the joint of the affected big toe of the foot. Or permanent joining or realign of bones around the big toe or even a blood test (if necessary) could be suggested for treatment.

Infected Parts

It occurs in any one or more joints of the human body.

It only occurs in one or both big toes on the feet of the human body.

What is Gout?

Gout is a category of arthritis that appears abruptly and critically. Scientifically, it is known as ‘Gouty Arthritis.’ It can strike oneself with an aggregation of uratic acid in the bones. Reduced inclination, redness, infection, discomfort in joints are its primary causes. 

Staying hydrated, decreasing the consumption of meat and liquor, and sustaining a healthy weight are the concerns that should be taken to avoid it. Essentially, diet modifications, exercising, weight loss, healthy and stress-free living can be helpful. But it needs a therapeutic determination. After a precise physical analysis and pharmaceutical records, specialists endorse the diagnosis. 

For critical treatments, Colchicine, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NAID), Corticosteroids,  Coxib, Dual Energy CT scan, Uricosurics, or Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors (XOI) therapies doctors suggests. 

What is Bunion?

Scientifically, it is known as ‘Hallux Valgus,’ a bunion is a sore bump near the big toe of the feet. Abnormality of feet bones can cause it. Sometimes, it can be painless. But the big toe will bend more towards another toe; apparently, it will cause pain and permanent malformation. 

Inflammation, sore or red toe, turning of the big toe towards other toes, thickening of the skin, the problem in moving the toes, or persistent pain can be the primary indications.

Generally, Bunions are genetic diseases. Inherently, faulty foot formation or absurdly flexible ligaments (tissues) or flat feet can cause it. Still, for any cases taking procurements is our responsibility, starting with avoiding high heels or tight shoes, and avoiding standing for a long time will help a lot to reduce the suffering.

Main Differences Between Gout and Bunion

  1. Due to the collection of urate crystals in one or more joints in the body, Gout appears. Whereas Bunions because of inheritance, ancestry, damage, or fundamental and anatomical disfigurement.
  2. Physicians suggest proper dietary alterations and daily exercising for the first one. Whereas, for the second one, shoe inserts, painkillers, and ice packs are recommended.
  3. Gout appears in any one or more joints of the human body. On the other hand, the bunions only in one or both big toes of the human feet.
  4. The former occurs with an increased amount of uric acid in the body, so it is manageable, and the latter is not as it is an ancestral disease.
  5. Gout needs preventive attention, while Bunion has chances to be self-diagnosed.

Conclusion 

Any bump, swelling, or persistent soreness in the toe or joints should not be avoided. They must be concerned about visiting a doctor. Professionals will let you know if it is gout or a bunion, or anything else. Be it any condition of health, it should not be ignored. A consultancy of a trustworthy medical practitioner for precise diagnosis and treatments is necessary.

While gout is a systematic condition, a bunion is a localized toe deformity. Overall, both are treated differently. Both diseases can be primarily consulted by local physicians. Then, diagnosed by podiatrists (foot specialists), rheumatologist (inflammation specialists), or an orthotic (specialty in mobility) specialists.

References

  1. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-50512-1_74 
  2. https://www.ajemjournal.com/article/S0735-6757(04)00107-X/abstract 
  3. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/abs/10.7326/0003-4819-90-5-812

This Article has been written by: Supriya Kandekar