Gout doctors in Charlotte
A gout flare can hit overnight and hurt so much you can’t put on a shoe. Walk in to either OneSpotMD clinic in Charlotte, any day of the week, to get the flare under control. Then our primary care providers help you prevent the next one with uric acid labs, medicine when you need it and regular follow-ups.
- ✓ Walk in for a gout flare, no appointment needed
- ✓ Same-day assessment and treatment when appropriate
- ✓ Uric acid blood test drawn in the clinic; result timing varies
- ✓ Long-term care to prevent flares, tophi and kidney stones
- ✓ Two Charlotte clinics, open 7 days a week
- ✓ Referral to a joint specialist when you need one
Walk in to either clinic, any day we’re open. To prevent future flares, apply to be a primary care patient, and we call you within 1 to 2 business days.
On this page
Signs of a flareWhy treat itWho is at riskHow we treat itWhen to come inNear youBecome a patientInsuranceOur clinics
Signs of a gout flare
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in a joint. It usually affects one joint at a time, often the big toe. A flare can bring:
- Sudden, intense pain, often starting at night and bad enough to wake you up
- Swelling
- Redness
- Warmth in the joint
Sources: MedlinePlus, Gout and CDC, Gout
Flares usually get better within a week or two. Treating a flare early can ease the pain sooner, so come in when it starts.
Why treat gout, even between flares
Between flares, gout can feel gone. But if uric acid stays high, gout can get worse over time:
- Flares can happen more often and last longer
- Hard lumps of uric acid, called tophi, can form under the skin
- Joint damage and misshapen joints
- Kidney stones
Sources: CDC, Gout and MedlinePlus, Gout
NIAMS says tophi can permanently damage your joints and other organs such as the kidneys. The good news: medicine to lower uric acid can prevent flares and tophi.
Who is at risk for gout
- Being male
- Getting older, usually from middle age
- A family history of gout
- Overweight or obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Drinking alcohol
- Sugary drinks, such as soda
- Red meat, organ meats and some seafood
- Water pills (diuretics) and some other medicines
Sources: NIAMS, Gout and CDC, Gout
How we treat gout
| Step | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Your exam | Your provider looks at the joint and asks about your flares, your medicines and what you eat and drink. A uric acid test can help, but a high result alone does not prove gout and levels may be lower during a flare. Repeat testing after the flare, joint-fluid testing or imaging may be needed. |
| The flare | Medicine to bring down the pain and swelling, such as an anti-inflammatory pill, colchicine, or a steroid pill or shot. Your provider picks what fits your health and your other medicines. |
| Your labs | A uric acid blood test, plus kidney function and other labs as needed, drawn in the clinic and sent to Quest. Some routine results may return by the next morning; timing varies by test and processing. Our staff explains the next steps. |
| Preventing flares | If you have frequent flares, tophi or kidney stones, your provider may start a daily medicine to lower your uric acid, and checks your labs to see that it’s working. |
| Lifestyle | Losing weight if needed, limiting alcohol and sugary drinks, and cutting back on foods high in purines, such as red meat and some seafood. |
| Specialists | If your gout is hard to control, or a joint needs fluid drawn or imaging, we’re happy to find you higher-level care with a joint specialist. |
Sources: MedlinePlus, Gout and MedlinePlus, Uric Acid Test
Gout often comes with high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney problems. We manage them together in one office. See all the chronic conditions we manage.
When to come in today, and when to call 911
- A painful, swollen, red or warm joint, especially if it started suddenly
- A first-ever flare, so we can find out if it’s gout
- A suddenly hot, swollen joint needs prompt assessment. Fever, chills, feeling very unwell, or inability to move or bear weight may signal a joint infection, not just gout. Seek urgent medical care immediately; do not wait for routine labs or an appointment. Go to the emergency department if immediate assessment is unavailable. Call 911 for severe or life-threatening symptoms.
- Chest pain or trouble breathing
- Anything that seems life-threatening
Gout treatment near you in Charlotte
Looking for a gout doctor near you? Walk in to the clinic closest to you for a flare, any day we’re open. Plaza Midwood is a short drive from NoDa, Elizabeth and Uptown. Steele Creek is close to Berewick, Lake Wylie, Fort Mill and Ballantyne.
| Clinic | Close to |
|---|---|
| Steele Creek | Steele Creek, Berewick, Rivergate, Lake Wylie, Fort Mill, Pineville, South Charlotte, Ballantyne and southwest Charlotte |
| Plaza Midwood | Plaza Midwood, NoDa, Elizabeth, Midtown, Uptown, Villa Heights and east Charlotte |
Become a patient for gout care
Apply online, and our team calls you within 1 to 2 business days. Your first visit is an annual physical at our Steele Creek clinic, where your provider reviews your history, medicines and labs. After that, follow-ups can be at either clinic, and you can walk in any day we’re open if your symptoms get worse.
Our primary care is for adults. Our urgent care sees patients 3 months and older for sudden joint pain and swelling.
Insurance
- Copay: paid at your visit.
- Coinsurance: collected at your visit.
- Deductible: if you still owe part of your deductible, we bill your insurance first, then send you a bill for the rest.
Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and TRICARE East. We don’t take HMO plans tied to one doctor or hospital system.
Medicare: Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans.
Check with your insurance plan about your coverage, including for lab tests. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Our clinics in Charlotte
| Clinic | What’s here |
|---|---|
| Steele Creek | 2114 Freeman Park Dr, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28273. (980) 880-5588. First visits (annual physicals), follow-ups, walk-ins. |
| Plaza Midwood | 2017 Central Ave, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28205. (704) 731-8656. Follow-ups and walk-ins. |
| Hours (both) | Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm |
Apply to be a patientCome in today
Sources
- NIAMS (National Institutes of Health): Gout
- CDC: Gout
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine): Gout
- MedlinePlus: Uric Acid Test
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Your provider decides the treatment that fits your health.
Related care
Chronic careHigh blood pressureDiabetesPrimary careLab work
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