Gout can be difficult to recognize because its symptoms often resemble those of other joint conditions. Understanding how gout develops, the symptoms it can cause and the factors that increase your risk can help you take the right steps toward diagnosis and treatment.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain, swelling and inflammation in the joints. It develops when uric acid, also called urate, builds up in the body over time. Urate comes from purines, which are found in your body’s tissues and many foods. When purines break down, they become urate. Untreated gout can lead to tophi, a condition caused by a buildup of needle-shaped crystals that form hard lumps under the skin, in and around joints and in other organs.

How Does Gout Cause Knee Pain?

Knee pain occurs when uric acid levels in the body become too high. The excess uric acid can form needle-shaped crystals in and around the knee joint, triggering inflammation and irritation.

Common symptoms of gout in the knee include:

• Sudden pain in the affected knee joint
• Severe pain that may start unexpectedly, often at night
• Swelling in and around the knee
• Redness of the affected joint
• Warmth or tenderness to the touch
• Flare-ups that may last for a week or two before improving

Common Risk Factors for Gout

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing gout by contributing to higher urate levels in the body or making it harder for the body to remove excess urate.

• Family history of gout
• Male sex
• Menopause
• Increasing age
• Alcohol consumption
• Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda
• Eating an unhealthy diet high in purines, particularly foods from animal sources
• Overweight or obesity
• Metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels and excess abdominal fat
• Chronic kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Certain conditions that cause rapid cell turnover, such as psoriasis or some cancers
• Rare genetic conditions that increase urate production
• Certain medications, including diuretics, low-dose aspirin, high-dose niacin and cyclosporine

People with gout may also be more likely to develop other health conditions, particularly those affecting the heart and kidneys, including chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, heart attack and congestive heart failure.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Gout

Diagnosing gout typically begins with a review of your medical history, symptoms, risk factors and medications. Your healthcare provider may also examine the affected joint and order tests such as a blood test to check urate levels, a joint fluid analysis to look for urate crystals or imaging studies like an ultrasound or a special CT scan.

Treatment focuses on relieving pain during gout flares, preventing future attacks and reducing the risk of joint damage. Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend the following treatment options:

• Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling
• Colchicine to relieve gout pain at the onset of symptoms
• Corticosteroids to decrease inflammation
• Urate-lowering medications, such as xanthine oxidase inhibitors
• Lifestyle changes

Following your treatment plan is important for managing symptoms and controlling the underlying cause of gout.

Prevention and Self-Care Tips for Gout

Making healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce gout flares and support long-term joint health.

• Maintain a healthy weight to help lower urate levels and reduce flare-ups.
• Limit alcoholic beverages, including nonalcoholic beer.
• Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks.
• Limit foods high in purines, including red meats, organ meats, shellfish, sardines and anchovies.
• Follow a DASH-style eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
• During a gout flare, rest the affected joint, apply ice and elevate the limb when possible.
• Take urate-lowering medications exactly as prescribed to help prevent future flares and reduce the risk of complications.

Always talk with your doctor before making changes to your diet or medications. If you experience sudden or recurring knee pain, swelling or redness, talk with your doctor to determine whether gout may be the cause and discuss the most appropriate treatment options for you.

Source:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Sources for MARS only:

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/gout