Gout in Elbow Symptoms
Self-care is important during flares
Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD
Gout is inflammatory arthritis that causes severe pain. While it most commonly affects the big toe, it can also affect other joints, including the elbow. Gout develops from hyperuricemia—high urate levels in the body—which causes sharp crystals to build up in the joint. Medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms of gout in the elbow.
This article discusses gout in the elbow, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and potential complications.
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Why Gout Causes Elbow Pain
Gout causes severe pain when crystals build up in the joint. These microscopic structures are similar to sand and make the smooth surfaces of the joint rough. As you bend and straighten your elbow, these crystals irritate the joint surfaces as they rub together, leading to inflammation and pain.
Not all people with high urate levels will develop gout, and other risk factors can make it more likely to occur. People assigned male at birth—especially those between ages 30 and 45—and those assigned female at birth who are between ages 55 and 70 are at an increased risk. People with conditions that increase cell turnover, such as psoriasis or active chemotherapy treatment, are also at a higher risk. Additional risk factors include:
Certain medications, such as diuretics, aspirin, and cyclosporine (drugs taken after organ transplant surgery)
Family history of gout
High amounts of niacin (vitamin B3)
Diet also contributes to gout. Uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of purine compounds. Certain foods and beverages—including some meats, seafood, and alcohol—are higher in purines than others.
How Does Elbow Gout Feel?
Elbow gout causes severe pain in the joint and often starts in the middle of the night. Other symptoms can include:
Pain and swelling
Difficulty bending and straightening the elbow
Skin that is warm to the touch
Gout symptoms can last days or weeks. Typically, they resolve within two weeks, even without treatment.
How to Tell If You Have Elbow Gout
A healthcare provider begins the diagnostic process with a physical examination, including a symptom review, visual inspection of your elbow, palpation (examination by pressing on affected parts of the body) of the affected area, and assessment of your range of motion.
They may use additional tests to confirm a diagnosis. These can include:
Blood tests: Used to assess urate levels
Joint aspiration: A sample of fluid from your elbow joint that healthcare providers use to look for urate crystals
Imaging tests: Imaging such as an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan that healthcare providers use to look for crystals in the joint
Your primary care provider may refer you to an arthritis specialist, such as a rheumatologist.
Where Gout Attacks
The first gout attack typically affects the big toe. However, gout can affect any joint, including the fingers, hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows.
Treatment to Manage Elbow Gout
Treatment for elbow gout includes a combination of medications, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes. Additional medications and home remedies help treat elbow pain during a gout flare-up.
During an Elbow Gout Flare
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary treatment for an elbow gout flare. Over-the-counter NSAIDs typically include Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). However, NSAIDs aren't right for everyone. If you have heart or kidney disease or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, ask your provider about other options.
If these medications are ineffective, your healthcare provider might prescribe Colcrys (colchicine) or corticosteroids. Due to their potentially harmful side effects, healthcare providers prescribe these medications for short-term use only.
Intra-articular cortisone injection by a rheumatologist can also be effective.
Home remedies may help reduce severe elbow pain during a flare-up. These include:
Ice: Apply ice to your elbow for 20 minutes at a time, several times per day.
Rest: Avoid activities that require repetitive elbow movements or worsen your pain.
Elevate: Prop your arm up above the level of your heart to allow gravity to help reduce your swelling.
Between Elbow Gout Flares
In between flares, you can use medications to increase the amount of uric acid removed from the body through urine or reduce the amount of uric acid produced by the body. Examples include Benemid (probenecid), Zyloprim (allopurinol), and Uloric (febuxostat).
Some people report that eating cherries, drinking cherry juice, taking vitamin C and certain herbs help reduce uric acid levels in the body, reducing the risk of gout flares. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims.
Dietary changes can also help reduce the risk of gout flare-ups and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid foods and drinks that are high in purines, such as:
Alcoholic beverages
Bacon
High-sugar drinks
Organ meats
Seafood (anchovies, herring, sardines, haddock, trout, codfish)
Shellfish (mussels, scallops)
Turkey
Veal
Venison
Other meats also contain a moderate amount of purine.
What Is a Purine?
Purines are compounds made in the body and found in various foods. They are important for cells to function properly. When broken down, purines create urate, which, in high amounts, can lead to gout in some people.
Complications and Risks
If your gout is left untreated or your condition is poorly managed, you could end up with joint-related complications, such as:
Joint infection
Tophi (nodules of uric acid that create painful bumps around the joint)
Permanent joint damage
Untreated gout can also affect other parts of the body, causing additional complications, including:
Emotional distress due to chronic pain and difficulty with daily tasks
When to Check With a Healthcare Provider
If your gout symptoms worsen, discuss your treatment options with a healthcare provider. If you develop a fever during a gout flare in the elbow, seek medical attention. Worsening symptoms can be a sign of a joint infection.
Summary
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis commonly affecting joints, including the elbow. Anti-inflammatory medications and home remedies can treat elbow gout flares. Maintenance medications and lifestyle modifications, such as a low-purine diet, can also reduce flares.
Left untreated, gout in the elbow can lead to permanent joint damage and tophi—painful bumps where uric acid crystals have built up around the joint. Taking your medications as prescribed and regularly following up with your healthcare provider can help reduce your risk of gout flare-ups in the elbow.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
