Gout flare or urgent joint problem?

Symptoms can overlap

Pain, warmth, redness, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint can occur with gout, infection, injury, pseudogout, and other inflammatory conditions. A website or home uric-acid reading cannot safely sort these out on its own.

Seek prompt in-person care when

Urgency depends on the full situation. The following features should lower the threshold for immediate medical assessment:

• Fever, chills, confusion, or feeling very unwell
• A wound, skin infection, recent joint injection, or recent joint surgery
• A weakened immune system or serious uncontrolled illness
• Rapidly worsening symptoms or inability to bear weight
• A first attack without a confirmed diagnosis

Have a written flare plan before the next flare

Once a clinician has confirmed the diagnosis and reviewed medication safety, a personalized plan can state what to do at the first sign of a familiar flare, when to contact the practice, and which symptoms require urgent care.