Acute gouty arthritis is a sudden attack of pain in the joints, especially in the feet and legs, that occur when uric acid builds up in the joints.

See also: Chronic gouty arthritis

Gout is caused by an overproduction of uric acid or a reduced ability of the kidney to get rid of uric acid. The exact cause is unknown. It is more common in males, postmenopausal women, and people who drink alcohol.

The condition may also develop in people with:

• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Obesity
• Sickle cell anemia

The condition may occur after taking medicines that interfere with uric acid excretion.

Gout has 4 stages:

• Asymptomatic
• Acute
• Intercritical
• Chronic

This article discusses acute gouty arthritis only.

Symptoms develop suddenly and usually involve only one or a few joints. The big toe, knee, or ankle joints are most often affected.

The pain frequently starts during the night and is often described as throbbing, crushing, or excruciating. The joint appears infected with signs of warmth, redness, and tenderness.

The attacks of painful joints may go away in several days, but may return from time to time. Additional attacks usually last long. Some people may progress to chronic gouty arthritis, while others may have no further attacks.

Specific symptoms include:

• Fever (sometimes)
• Joint pain
• Joint swelling of the affected joints
• Join stiffness
• Joint redness
• Skin lump which may drain chalky material

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood differential
• Joint x-rays (may be normal)
• Synovial biopsy
• Synovial fluid analysis (shows uric acid crystals)
• Uric acid- blood
• Uric acid - urine