Is gout limited to pain in just one joint?
Oct 09, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Introduction
In general, gout does not involve pain in just one joint. During an attack, multiple joints may be affected, including the ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, toes, dorsum of the foot, shoulder, and hip. Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis. Patients with gout often experience pain in one or more joints—such as the ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, toes, dorsum of the foot, shoulder, and hip—typically at night.
Generally, gout does not involve pain in just a single joint. During an attack, multiple joints such as the ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, toes, dorsum of the foot, shoulder, and hip may also be affected. Specifically:
Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis. Patients with gout often experience pain in one or more joints—such as the ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, toes, dorsum of the foot, shoulder, or hip—typically at night. The pain gradually subsides and disappears over several days to weeks. Additionally, repeated gout attacks can lead to worsening symptoms and chronic progression, resulting in joint deformities. As urate crystals continue to deposit in the joints, they may restrict joint mobility.
When patients experience joint pain due to gout, medications such as colchicine tablets or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, or other corticosteroids, may be used under medical guidance to relieve symptoms. Daily management should include a low-calorie diet, avoidance of high-purine foods, and adequate hydration to help alleviate symptoms.
If patients develop any discomfort, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital to avoid delaying treatment.
