Is metatarsophalangeal joint pain gout?

summary

In clinical practice, many patients often describe their gout attacks as sharp pain like a knife cut at the root of the thumb (the first metatarsophalangeal joint) at night or early in the morning. They can't move. A little movement of the toes will cause deep pain. Is metatarsophalangeal joint pain gout? Let's talk about it

Is metatarsophalangeal joint pain gout?

Pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint is a typical manifestation of acute gout. 56% - 78% of gout patients initially presented with pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint. When the patient has pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint, the doctor will first consider gout attack.

However, gout is not the only cause of first metatarsophalangeal joint pain. Although 57% of patients were diagnosed with gout, 20% of patients with first metatarsophalangeal joint pain could not be diagnosed at the first visit.

The first metatarsophalangeal joint is located at the end of the limb, where the cartilage, synovium and tissues around the joint have less blood vessels, slow blood circulation, and rich mucopolysaccharide acid and connective tissue in the matrix, so uric acid prefers to deposit here.

matters needing attention

In the presence of gout risk factors, such as drinking and high purine diet, we should pay special attention to joint protection, try to reduce long-term walking, at the same time, it is necessary to wear a pair of comfortable shoes to protect the first metatarsophalangeal joint.