What Does Gout Pain Feel Like?

Gout is a type of arthritis that is most often in one area or joint and involves swelling and pain. The big toe, other toes, fingers, ankles, and knees are the most common places to experience gout.

This condition happens when a natural waste product in the body called uric acid, or urate, builds up either because too much is produced or more commonly, not enough is broken down and passed out of the body. This leads to crystals that can cause arthritis attacks and, later on, kidney stones or bumps under skin.

Learn about gout, its symptoms, what it feels like, and more.

Gout Symptoms in the Foot

Symptoms of gout are similar to other types of arthritis, such as swollen, painful joints. There are also some differences. For example, gout is more likely to affect the big toe and appear suddenly and with intense pain. Additionally, people with gout may experience tophi, which is when crystals or stones formed by uric acid collect under the skin.

What Does Gout Feel Like?

Gout feels different for everyone and may depend on the specific joint or area affected. The area may be stiff and extremely painful, even painful enough that having anything touching the area is unbearable. The pain can be on the joint only or in the area around the joint as well.

Tophi are bumps that can appear on the skin with gout. They are usually not painful. However, they can swell and become painful.

What Conditions Is Gout Commonly Mistaken For?

Gout is most commonly mistaken for a similar condition called pseudogout. They are often confused because they both include symptoms such as joint pain and swelling along with a buildup of crystals under the skin. However, the crystals present in pseudogout are caused by calcium pyrophosphate instead of tjhe sodium urate that causes gout.

Gout may also be mistaken for other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, especially in people who do not experience tophi or noticeable bumps of crystal build-up.

How Is Gout Diagnosed?

Gout can be diagnosed by a medical specialist called a rheumatologist. One test used to diagnose the condition involves removing fluid from the joint using a needle. The fluid is then examined under a microscope to identify urate crystals that cause gout. This test may be used along with other tests and assessing symptoms as part of an office visit.

Diagnosing gout may include:

• Considering symptoms and medical history
• Looking for urate crystals in fluid taken from affected joints
• Uric acid blood test
• Imaging such as ultrasound or X-ray

Gout Treatment

Treatments for gout include medications and lifestyle changes such as stress management, nutrition, physical activity, and weight loss.

People with gout can benefit from switching to a low-purine diet. This involves limiting or eliminating alcohol, meats, and other foods high in purines while eating plenty of foods that are low in purines, such as fruits and certain vegetables.

Summary

Gout is a type of arthritis. It generally affects only one joint at a time, usually the big toe joint or another joint in the foot, ankle, or knee. This condition can appear suddenly with intense pain and there may also be swelling and lumps of crystals under the skin called tophi. People with gout may also have trouble walking due to the pain.

Gout symptoms are similar to other types of arthritis and can sometimes be mistaken for other types, including rheumatoid arthritis. It also is often confused with pseudogout, which involves a buildup of calcium deposits under the skin. Gout can go away on its own, and treatment options are available.

A Word From Verywell

Suspecting, being diagnosed with, and living with gout can be uncomfortable and challenging, especially when pain, swelling, or other symptoms interfere with mobility and daily life. If you or someone you know is experiencing gout symptoms, reach out to a healthcare professional such as a primary care provider or a rheumatologist for support. Gout can be treated when symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days or a couple of weeks.