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Does your mother or father suddenly get toe pain at night, with frequent red swelling?
It's not because they haven't abstained enough, and it's not something they must live with forever. It's just that uric acid hasn't been brought down to the right level yet.
Dr. Trinh
Dr. Trinh — Orthopedic specialist, Ho Chi Minh City
Medical doctor, orthopedic specialty, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Is your parent facing these problems?
Middle of the night while asleep, the big toe suddenly hurts sharply, as if something is stabbing it.
Joint swollen, red, hot — skin feels tight, almost unbearable to touch.
In the morning can't even wear sandals, must limp around.
At feasts, doesn't dare eat red meat, seafood, alcohol — watches others eat while sitting quietly.
Starts having hard lumps appear on fingers, toes, ears — afraid they will grow bigger.
The biggest worry: "Will this eventually damage the kidneys?"
If your parent has at least 2-3 of these signs, it's a sign it's time for a proper examination.
Your parent has already avoided many foods — why is uric acid still high?
Food is only part of it — most uric acid is produced by the body itself. There are many ads claiming "uric acid dissolving medicine," without knowing who's really selling it. Controlling uric acid truly is achievable, but it should start with an exam from a specialist doctor — not by buying medicine from an ad.
No need to transfer money in advance — pay at the clinic counter, only after meeting the doctor in person.
Why does coining, or strictly avoiding seafood and alcohol, still not stop the swelling?
Many Khmer people call joint pain "khyâl cap" (wind-catching). Coining brings real, temporary relief — that's normal. But for gout, strict food avoidance alone isn't enough either, because most uric acid comes from the body itself, not only from food. A specialist doctor is needed to examine and monitor uric acid regularly, to know what to do next.
The doctor examines first, then advises based on the actual case. There's no promise it will never recur — only proper examination and monitoring to help reduce the pain and swelling.
Examine now, or wait until it becomes severe?
Examine now
✓
Know clearly how high the uric acid level is.
✓
Helps reduce sudden pain flare-ups, case by case.
✓
Joints and kidneys get protected earlier.
Leaving it another 1-2 years
✕
Pain flare-ups become more frequent and more severe.
✕
Hard lumps (tophi) grow bigger, joints become deformed.
✕
Prolonged high uric acid can damage the kidneys.
The degree of relief varies by condition and individual body — the doctor does not promise in advance.
Full package price (US dollars)
Consultation
Full package, no extra charge 		50 USD 10 USD
Joint injection
Full package, no extra charge 		From $190
Arthroscopy (keyhole joint surgery)
Full package, no extra charge
full package price quoted after exam
Joint replacement
Full package, no extra charge
full package price quoted after exam
Operating room
The doctor and team in the operating room
* Prices above are full package, no hidden extra charges. For some services the final price may be quoted as "from" (starting from), depending on each patient's actual case after the doctor's examination. For gout, joint injection or surgery is only needed in cases of severe joint damage.
No advance transfer required — pay at the clinic, after meeting the doctor.
The trip from Cambodia
Bus: Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City
Via Bavet – Moc Bai border crossing
Khmer-speaking pickup available
A Khmer interpreter stays with you through the entire examination

Message us on Messenger to book an appointment
Inside the operating room — real footage of the doctor and team
Real footage, September 2026
Who will examine your parent?
The orthopedic specialist doctor examines in person — not handed off to an assistant. The doctor asks about medical history in detail, reads and explains the uric acid results the patient brings, then follows up regularly — not just advising once and stopping there.
The doctor will tell you plainly what the case needs — no promise it will never recur, only help to manage uric acid better than before and know the next step clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What does sudden swelling and pain in the big toe usually mean? A: That's the classic picture of an acute gout flare — sudden swelling, heat, redness, and pain with no injury involved. A joint infection can look similar, so if there's no clear entry point for bacteria and no fever, gout is more likely — but it should still be examined.
Q: Why does joint pain that's worse at night matter? A: Night pain is a sign worth paying attention to — inflammatory conditions, including gout, tend to hurt more at night. Osteoarthritis pain usually behaves the opposite way, worse with activity and better with rest. Severe pain with fever or weight loss needs an exam right away.
Q: How long should joint pain last before seeing a doctor? A: There's no single fixed rule, but a practical marker is: pain lasting more than 2 weeks without improving should be examined. Pain that comes with swelling, heat, and redness — or with numbness and leg weakness — needs an exam right away.
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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