Gout in knee

[Al O’Purinol]

I have had gout before but no this long. It's been over a week now and the symptoms are not getting better. I have been taken indocin and started colchicine yesterday. I took six pills yesterday and one this morning. My knee is huge and I went to the emergency room because of this. I also went because getting out of bed I lost control of my leg and it bent all the way normal. One of ther worst pains I've every had. I thought maybe I tore something but the emergency sent me home with colchicine and vicatin. No change yet but I just want to walk normal again. Any ideas on what I can do.

[KeithTaylor]

New colchicne dosing recommendations suggest 2 x .6mg colchicine followed by one per hour for  the next 2 hours.

If this doesn't work, the guidelines accept that the hourly dosing can be extended, though this is something that you should discuss with your doctor.

Vicatin (or Vicodin) is mainly paracetamol (acetaminophen / Tylenol). Be very careful with that one, as it can have serious liver effects. Some reports also claim that it interferes with uric acid test results, though that seems to depend on the test method used.

Keep the joint warm at all times – long johns, tights or a bandage all work, but make sure it is loose – restricting blood flow is not good for gout. I also find that keeping the joint raised above the heart is useful whilst resting, but try to get some exercise if you can as this seems to shorten recovery times.

The worst should be over in a couple of days. It is vital to get on a uric acid lowering program to keep your uric acid level at 5mg/dL or below.

[zip2play]

Gout in the knees is a VERY hard call to make with assurance becasue the joint is SO complicated and so fragile and thus prone to MANY types of injury.

I KNOW I have gout but I can never say with any assurance what causes my knee pains when I get them…not infrequently.

[Al O’Purinol]

gout pain has ended but swelling in knee as not passed. I don't know if I should stop with the medication or continue. Any answers for this.

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

I do not believe you will get any extra benefit from continuing with pain relief now the pain has gone. Swelling should abate in a couple of days – in my experience quicker with gentle exercise, but when you are at rest, keep the leg raised.

Now is the time to focus on what caused this, and plan to avoid another attack. If you haven't already done so, I would consider getting the gout diagnosis confirmed by examination of the joint fluid (a painless procedure, usually performed by a rheumatologist).

Whether you do that or not, you must arrange for regular blood tests and maintain your uric acid below 6mg/dL (5 is better).

[Al O’Purinol]

I've had the exact same thing happen….the most painful thing I ever experienced, for me I was rocking back in a chair while trying to elevate my knee, when my knee gave out and i came down on it.  The pain and swelling will go down eventually.  I too thought it was a tear but it wasn't, but you probably did some major damage that will take time to heal.

[Al O’Purinol]

Thanks for all the comments and advice. Gout has gone but did some major damage to my knee. Had an MRI done and the results were- partially torn ACL and PCL, torn MCL, and bursitis in the knee. Who knew you can do this much damage to your knee with out playing sports. Play high school and college football without any injuries and now I get gout in my knee and tear up my knee. I think I finally had this coming for being over weight but now I will lose the weight and get a healthy diet. The worst part is having to explain to people how I injured my knee when they ask. Kinda of embarrasing but hey it was my fault to begin with. Thanks again for the comments and advice it's good to know I'm not alone out there with this problem.

[Keith Taylor (GoutPal Admin)]

Never explain – just say it's a sporting injury .

It would be a good idea to see the doc about something to help lower the uric acid whilst you improve your diet. Weight loss is a notorious producer of uric acid. Taking allopurinol or similar uric acid reducing treatment can help balance this, as well as kickstart the process of dissolving old urate crystals. Once you've lost sufficient weight, you may be able to cut out (or at least cut back) the medication. This will help prevent any further tissue damage.

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