What kind of doc should I see for a single arthritic joint?

[Anonymous]

It feels silly to start with my primary care person who is an NP with One Medical when she will likely just refer me to someone else.

Its the big toe joint on one of my feet - I was told 15 years ago I had "pre-arthritis" there, so now I assume I have full arthritis there. Rheumatologist? Orthopaedic doc? Podiatrist? Naturopath? Osteopath? Something else?

I'm a 45 yo woman, in case that is relevant.

[Anonymous]

I would start with a podiatrist only because they may be easier to get in than the orthopedist.

[Anonymous]

What’s your diet like? Alcohol consumption? Any chance it’s a touch of gout rather than straight up arthritis?

[Anonymous]

Podiatrist or an orthopedist with a food/ankle specialization. It doesn't sound like you need to consider rheumatology if it is only one toe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s your diet like? Alcohol consumption? Any chance it’s a touch of gout rather than straight up arthritis?

OP here: I was/am unfamiliar with gout, so I just googled it. I doubt that is it; my diet is pretty good, I'm not overweight, I'm active. The pain doesn't come and go, its been steadily getting worse over the past year or more.

[Anonymous]

Go see a rheumatologist. It’s almost definitely not gout, as that is very unlikely in premenopausal women, but it might be psoriatic arthritis which often starts in the fingers and toes. The rheum could also diagnose osteoarthritis. But they’re most likely to do a comprehensive physical exam which is critical.