Michael Toprover, MD

Growing up, I was inspired by my father, who is a primary care doctor. He shared with me the varied ways he helped people feel better. I decided that I, too, wanted to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Volunteering at a hospital and having the opportunity to help patients confirmed that becoming a doctor was the right decision for me.

I was exposed to and learned about a wide array of medical specialties. I ultimately chose to specialize in rheumatology because of the varied symptoms of rheumatological diseases. Often, rheumatologic symptoms are medical mysteries, and I am privileged to solve them. In addition, each patient truly requires personalized care.

I remain fascinated by rheumatology because it is a cutting-edge field. Over the past 20 years, many revolutionary treatments that improve patient care have been discovered.

As the director of the Gout Treatment Center at NYU Langone’s Center for Arthritis and Autoimmunity, I specialize in managing gout, a debilitating form of inflammatory arthritis that can affect many different joints. It often affects the big toe or another part of the foot.

Gout is caused by microscopic crystals that collect in the joint. They can cause pain, inflammation, and sometimes even permanent joint destruction. Crystals can be identified by examining joint fluid during an attack. Between attacks, I can diagnose the condition by using an imaging test, such as an ultrasound or dual-energy CT scan, to look for the crystals. To relieve pain and reduce inflammation, I can remove fluid in the joint or inject corticosteroid medications.

Gout is treatable, but a lot of people do not receive a diagnosis quickly, or are undertreated. My goals are to manage gout flares and prevent future occurrences. I provide individualized treatment because some people’s symptoms are more severe than others. For instance, some patients simply need to make lifestyle changes to prevent flares, while others need to start medications to help dissolve the crystals. Gout treatment involves educating patients about the condition, crafting a treatment plan, and helping every person get better on their own terms.

Conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney disease may cause gout symptoms to worsen and can require treatment with specialized medications. I offer all my patients access to clinical trials focused on new treatments.

I enjoy caring for people who have gout and conducting research to improve their lives. I was a part of the team that created the most recent American College of Rheumatology treatment guidelines for gout, and I collaborate with leading gout researchers across the country.

My research interests include the use of noninvasive imaging in gout diagnosis; I recently completed a study focused on the presence of crystal deposits in the lower spine. I am also interested in the effects of gout on the heart and blood vessels, and I am currently studying whether gout can cause inflammation of the blood vessels. Additionally, I am creating a registry of gout patients, which will help with research.

I have greatly enjoyed teaching rheumatology. I was named the Department of Medicine Rheumatology Fellow of the Year in 2016–17. In 2019 I received NYU Langone’s Marshall A. Mundheim, MD, Outstanding Teacher Award. Teaching remains a passion for me; I relish explaining complex medical information to students. I also serve as the director of the rheumatology teaching section at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.