Dr.Artis was so amazing. After going to two other podiatrists who gave me no support or hope, Dr. artis made me feel like there can be change for me. She was so patient, kind and informative. I’m actually excited to go back and get my results.
Tophi the chalky, hard deposits of monosodium urate crystals that develop in skin, soft tissue, tendons, and joints after years of uncontrolled hyperuricemia are one of the most visible and distressing manifestations of advanced gout. For many patients, tophi are cosmetically displeasing but functionally tolerable, and aggressive urate-lowering therapy will gradually dissolve them over months to years without any surgery. For others, however, tophi become a direct source of serious medical problems: they ulcerate through the skin creating open wounds with infection risk, compress peripheral nerves causing pain and numbness, invade tendons causing rupture risk, or destroy joint surfaces causing progressive disability. In these situations, gout tophi removal surgery in NYC is not elective it is the appropriate, necessary intervention. At Healthy Feet NYC, our podiatric surgeons perform tophus excision with careful pre-operative planning, meticulous surgical technique, and close post-operative management.
Gout tophi removal surgery in NYC involves the surgical excision of urate crystal deposits from the affected soft tissues, joints, or tendons a procedure that requires careful planning because tophi are typically avascular, irregularly shaped, and intimately adherent to surrounding structures including tendons, joint capsules, and in some cases bone. Pre-operative MRI is essential for large or deep tophi to map their full extent, assess tendon involvement, and plan the surgical approach to achieve complete removal without unnecessary damage to surrounding functional tissue. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia with or without sedation in an ambulatory setting for most cases, with the patient positioned to optimize access to the tophus. Intraoperative care involves methodical debridement of all accessible urate material which has a characteristic chalky white, toothpaste-like consistency while preserving tendon and neurovascular structures.
Tophus excision at Healthy Feet NYC is always performed in conjunction with, not as a substitute for, ongoing medical urate-lowering therapy. Surgery removes existing deposits but does not correct the underlying hyperuricemia without maintained allopurinol or febuxostat therapy at target uric acid levels, tophi will recur. Pre-operatively, we optimize the patient’s uric acid control and review their current ULT regimen. Intraoperatively, we address any tendon damage from tophus invasion, repair joint capsule defects, and ensure thorough irrigation of the wound. Post-operatively, wounds over tophus excision sites are managed carefully because the overlying skin in tophaceous areas is often compromised and healing is slower than in straightforward elective surgery. We coordinate closely with the patient’s internist or rheumatologist throughout the peri-operative period to maintain medical gout management continuity.
TESTIMONIAL
Dr.Artis was so amazing. After going to two other podiatrists who gave me no support or hope, Dr. artis made me feel like there can be change for me. She was so patient, kind and informative. I’m actually excited to go back and get my results.
Everyone was super friendly. Doctor Rick’s explained everything thoroughly.
Dr Bell was incredibly thorough and personable. Gave me great information and useful information for my next steps. A great experience!
“Fast, professional, and very clean office. I was checked in and seen within 10 minutes of my scheduled time. Dr. Ricks was straight to the point but thorough. The front desk staff was also incredibly helpful.
All of the staff are super welcoming and professional! Bianca took excellent care in getting my X-rays. Dr. Ricks was thorough in explaining my diagnosis and next steps. Highly recommended!!
Well before I came in today to see Dr. Ricks my foot in pain was 9/10 and now I feel good 🙏🏿🤩 thanks
Behind every great care experience is a team that truly listens. Our doctors are committed to understanding your needs, delivering personalized treatment, and supporting you every step of your health journey.
Dr. Farah Alani is a New York City foot and ankle surgeon at To Healthy Feet Podiatry, a boutique podiatry practice located in the heart…
Dr. Alison Bell was born in Manhattan and is a Public Health graduate of Charles R. Drew University. She obtained her medical degree from Kent…
Dr. Roxann Clarke is a graduate of Hampton University in Virginia, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science…
Dr. Ricks is a board-certified fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon committed to delivering top-tier foot and ankle care. From New Jersey, she a Bachelor’s in…
As the Chief Operating Officer of To Healthy Feet Podiatry, Tiffany provides leadership to ensure all administrative are producing optimal results. Dr….
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