Gout is more than just pain in your joint/s – it’s a chronic medical condition with possibly serious consequences if left untreated. While living with gout can be challenging, proper gout management positively affects quality of life. With the assistance of the Maryland Gout Institute, patients can avoid long-term joint damage and enjoy long-lasting gout relief. For gout management in Baltimore, Maryland, call 410-709-0885 or fill out this online form to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Mark E. Spier.
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, at 11710 Reisterstown Rd, Suite 208, Reisterstown, MD 21136.
Understanding What Gout Is
What is Gout?
Gout is a common, yet complex type of inflammatory arthritis that results in sudden, severe gout pain and flare-ups. It frequently affects one joint at a time, especially the big toe. However, it can happen in other joints, such as the elbows, ankles, knees, fingers, and wrists. Without adequate gout management, these painful attacks can often become intense, so recognizing the symptoms and seeking early treatment is critical.
Gout Symptoms
A typical gout attack is recognized as:
- Severe joint pain: The pain commonly heightens within the first 12 hours and may be debilitating.
- Swelling and inflammation: The skin around the individuals’ joint might sometimes appear red or purplish.
- Lingering discomfort: Discomfort might linger for multiple days or weeks, possibly affecting more joints.
- Limited range of motion: There might be limited and painful movement as the joint swells and inflames.
- Tophi formation: Uric acid crystals can develop lumps under the skin, known as tophi, in chronic gout. These lumps can worsen over time.
Causes and Risks of Gout
Prevalent causes and risk factors of gout include:
- Foods high in red meat, shellfish, organ meats, and sugary beverages can increase uric acid levels
- Excessively consuming beer and other alcohol beverages
- Being overweight
- Having high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome
- Medications such as low-dose aspiring, water pills, and certain immune-suppressing drugs
- A family history of gout
Addressing these risk factors is imperative as part of your gout management and decreasing future gout pain episodes.
Why Choose the Maryland Gout Institute?
About Dr. Mark E. Spier
Are you suffering from gout? At the Maryland Gout Institute, we are experts in gout symptoms and treatment. Since 1984, Dr. Mark Spier has been a board-certified specialist in relieving painful gouts for many Baltimore residents, helping them return to regular routines. His accomplishments include:
- Received his undergraduate with a major in Microbiology at the University of Maryland College Park
- Earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) in 1983 at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
- Completed his surgical residency at Lutheran Hospital of Maryland
- The first certified PinPointe Footlaser provider in Baltimore, MD
- He has hospital affiliations with Northwest Hospital Center
Services We Offer for Baltimore Residents and Beyond
The professionals at Maryland Gout Institute and Dr. Spier are available to treat your foot and ankle ailments. Our practice specializes in gout management and foot care in Baltimore, MD, and surrounding areas including:
- Ankle sprains
- Bunions
- Flat feet
- Hammertoes
- Diabetes foot care
- Heel spurs
- Corns
- Athlete’s foot
- Ankle pain
- Flat feet
- Fungus toenails
- Sports medicine
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel pain
- Ingrown toenails
- And much more!
Stop living with gout’s symptoms: chronic pain, swelling, painful flares, stiffness, or lumps under the skin (Tophi) and reach out to Dr. Mark Spier today!
Areas We Serve
We proudly serve communities of Baltimore and all surrounding areas with our gout management services:
- Owings Mills, MD
- Towson, MD
- Pikesville, MD
- Reisterstown, MD
- Baltimore County, MD – Doctors specializing in gout management
Read Positive Customer Reviews
Learn what customers have to say about the Maryland Gout Institute:
- “Great care” – Ziad Bentahar
- “Great experience, from the doctor and also the receptionist, I am very satisfied thank you very much” – Tiger Watts
- Thank you so much for being quick with scheduling and quick follow ups. Your office staff is super kind and considerate as well.” – Erica Lewis
- “A great experience during my year of treatment. Dr. Spier and his staff, Debbie, Kelly and Sam are all top notch care givers. I reccomend them to anyone needing care for gout or related problems.” – Frank Gobbel
Contact Dr. Mark E. Spier for Gout Management in Baltimore, MD
Since 1984, Dr. Mark E. Spier, has been providing various treatment options with a specialization in the treatment of gout. Our practice in Reisterstown, MD, also offers PinPointe laser treatment for heel pain. We pride ourselves on listening to our patients thoroughly and understanding the extent of their foot and ankle concerns. The Maryland Gout Institute accepts most insurance plans and welcomes new patients! To schedule an appointment, call our office today (410) 847-7287! Follow our blog, Facebook, and X.