Is needle-like pain in my foot below the ankle a possible sign of gout?

Gout: Gout can present as intense pain in any joint of the body. Having said that, the gout crystals tend to migrate to the coldest parts of the body which is why we normally see it in the foot. Signs of a gouty attack would be swelling, redness and pain in a joint. Gout normally affects 1 joint at a time. I would advise evaluation by a podiatrist since many things can cause foot pain.

Gout pain: Gout is an inflammatory condition of a joint; the joint can become painful from an increase in uric acid levels in the joint and the tissues surrounding the painful area. Gout usually affects the hallux joint, the ankle joint, the knee joint, the wrist, and smaller joints of the hands and feet. Uric acid levels can be decreased with diet and medication. Ask your physician and podiatrist.