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Gout

Gout is joint inflammation caused by deposited uric acid crystals. It often produces a suddenly very painful, red, hot, swollen joint, classically the big toe but also the ankle, knee, midfoot, wrist, fingers or elbow. An attack can closely resemble infection. Septic arthritis is a dangerous mimic requiring prompt exclusion, sometimes by joint aspiration. Have a professional choose attack treatment and do not independently stop a prescribed urate-lowering medicine such as allopurinol. Kidney function, kidney stones, tophi, lifestyle, dehydration and monitoring the urate target matter for long-term care.

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  • Gout is inflammation from deposited uric acid crystals. This reaction can make a joint extremely painful very quickly.
  • Often one joint is affected at a time, classically the big toe, but also the ankle, knee, midfoot, wrist, fingers or elbow.
  • An attack often resembles infection: red, hot, swollen and very painful. Septic arthritis is a dangerous mimic sometimes requiring urgent exclusion.
  • If uncertain, a doctor may aspirate joint fluid to examine for crystals and bacteria.
  • Do not independently stop a prescribed urate-lowering medicine such as allopurinol during an attack or once you improve.
  • Long-term care includes kidney function, stones, tophi, lifestyle, dehydration and reaching a urate target, not just attacks.

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Further reading

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B
Bunion (hallux valgus)Hallux valgus is a change in alignment in which the big toe points towards the other toes and a bump develops on the inside of the foot. This may cause pain, pressure areas, calluses and difficulty with shoes. Not every bump is hallux valgus: a warm, red, painful bump may also indicate gout or infection. Suitable shoes and reducing pressure often help, but further treatment is sometimes needed.
J
Joint problemsJoint problems include pain, stiffness, swelling or reduced movement in one or more joints. Possible causes include overuse, injury, osteoarthritis, gout, an inflammatory disease and infection. Location, duration, morning stiffness, swelling and other symptoms help distinguish them. A suddenly red, hot, swollen and very painful joint, especially with fever or feeling unwell, needs urgent assessment the same day.
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Bacterial joint infection (septic arthritis)A bacterial joint infection, also called septic arthritis, is a serious infection that can quickly damage a joint. Sudden severe pain and swelling in a joint need urgent assessment.