Acute gouty arthritis

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Uric acid crystals

Gouty arthritis - acute; Gout - acute

• Joint pain
  • Begins suddenly
  • Affects one or more joints (hip pain, knee pain, ankle pain, foot pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain, hand pain, or pain in other joints)
  • The great toe, knee, or ankle joints are most often affected
• Joint swelling of the affected joints
• Stiffness of the joint
• The joint may be warm and red
• Fever may be present
• Skin lump which may drain chalky material

A physical examination of the joints shows acute arthritis.

• Synovial fluid analysis shows uric acid crystals.
• Uric acid (blood test) may be elevated.
• Joint X-rays may be normal.

The following tests might also be helpful:

• Uric acid - urine
• Synovial biopsy
• Blood differential

Review Date: 04/20/2005
Reviewed By: Stanford Peng, M.D, Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.