We are a leading arthritis and musculoskeletal pain specialist clinic, offering evidence-based advice and expert gout treatment in Brisbane.
Gout is a common, yet complex, type of arthritis characterised by pain, redness and swelling in your joints. Many forms of arthritis share common symptoms, however, they can require completely different treatments and medications. An accurate diagnosis is vital to ensure you receive the appropriate care and therapy to alleviate your gout symptoms and pain.
What is gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis where uric acid accumulates and forms urate crystals in and around your joints. This leads to inflammation and pain in the affected joint. These gout attacks can be debilitating and impact your mobility and quality of life. A gout specialist will work with you to diagnose gout and then form an appropriate treatment plan to reduce your pain and inflammation to improve your mobility and quality of life.
What are the symptoms?
Gout can come on quite suddenly and is described as causing such severe pain even the lightest touch can be excruciating to your joint. Other symptoms include:
- Joint pain is often severe and intense, usually affecting the big toe. The other joints in your wrists, hands, knees, feet and ankles can be painful too.
- Inflamed, swollen and tender joints.
- Red and warm skin over the joint.
- Limited movement in the affected joint.
A high uric acid level results in crystals forming in and around your joints, causing painful inflammation.
What are the
causes of gout?
Gout is caused by high uric acid levels in your blood. Uric acid is a by-product when purine is broken down by your body. Under normal circumstances, uric acid dissolves in your blood and is excreted via your kidneys as one of your body’s normal waste products.
However, with increased levels, your kidneys may have trouble flushing uric acid fast enough or in large enough amounts, causing high uric acid levels that result in urate crystals forming.
There are several risk factors that can lead to high uric acid levels:
- A diet rich in fructose (sugar from fruit), red meat, shellfish and alcohol.
- Obesity and being overweight.
- Chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart or kidney disease.
- Genetics and family history.
- Males and post-menopausal women.
How is gout diagnosed?
When you see your doctor they may suspect gout based on your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor can perform several different tests to confirm and diagnose gout.
Joint fluid test
A sample of fluid will be taken from your affected joint using a thin needle and then sent to a lab for testing. If urate crystals are found in your joint fluid, you are suffering a gout attack.
Blood test
Your doctor can perform a blood test to ascertain the levels of uric acid in your blood. Although high uric acid levels don’t necessarily mean you have gout, when combined with your presenting symptoms it is a strong indication.
X-ray imaging
X-rays are used more to assess the condition and damage to your joints from gout attacks than as a diagnostic tool.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound can be used to detect the presence of urate crystals in your joints.
Dual-energy computerized tomography (DECT)
DECT uses detailed images from multiple angles to identify urate crystals in your joints. This test can be costly so is not routinely used.
What are the treatment options for gout?
A gout attack can last about a week without treatment, and then you may not have another one for months or even years.
However, gouty arthritis can be extremely painful and limit your daily activities so it is best to use some form of treatment to alleviate your symptoms.
- Pain-relieving medication like paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs)
- Rest and elevate your affected joint.
- Ice may also help relieve the pain and swelling.
Even the lightest touch can cause excruciating pain when suffering from a gout attack.
For those people who suffer recurrent symptoms, a gout treatment medication can be prescribed that helps to lower uric acid levels and prevent further attacks. The most common ones used are allopurinol and colchicine.
You can also make changes to your lifestyle that help alleviate symptoms and prevent further gout attacks:
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Decrease the amount of purine-rich foods in your diet, such as sardines, scallops, tuna, mussels, red meat or organ meats.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
- If you are overweight, aim to lose weight.
Pain-relieving medication, rest, ice and elevation are great ways to control the painful symptoms of gout.
Why choose us?
We offer personalised and holistic health care for all our patients. Our dedicated team of medical experts are highly educated and skilled. We use a team-orientated approach that ensures we can tackle all rheumatic conditions, even those with complex symptoms and presentations.
Together, we can improve your mobility and pain so you are more comfortable and can get back to enjoying life.
How much does it cost?
The cost of seeing a gout specialist at our Rheumatology clinic will vary depending on what diagnostic tests and treatment you require.
We focus on providing real value for your investment in your care with us, and go the extra mile to ensure you feel fully supported and confident with your personal care plan.
How to contact us
Find a gout specialist near me:
- 24 Railway Terrace (Corner of Pound Street)
Dutton Park QLD 4102 - (07) 3255 1066
- (07) 3521 6780
- admin@arthritiscare.com.au
- Monday to Friday: 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: Closed
Meet
Dr Peter Landsberg
Dr Peter Landsberg (MBBS (Hons), DipRACOG, FRACGP, FRACP) founded Rheumatology.com.au in 2016. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in both surgery and medicine from the University of Queensland. He has since completed further education to become specialised as a Rheumatologist with a special interest in treating inflammatory arthritis and connective tissue disorders.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Find all your common gout-related answers here.
The most effective treatment for gout is medication and lifestyle modification. Our expert team at the rheumatology clinic can work with you to tailor a treatment program that will alleviate your symptoms and prevent further attacks of gout.
You can get simple over-the-counter analgesics such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) from the chemist to relieve the symptoms of gout attacks.
Yes, a GP can treat gout. However, gout is a complicated form of arthritis and a gout specialist has more experience with forming a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Rheumatologists are experts in all things gout. They have in-depth knowledge and extensive experience with inflammatory conditions and arthritis, including gout. Seeing a Rheumatologist for gout ensures you benefit from expert knowledge and will have a therapy plan tailored specifically for your needs.
Avoiding a purine-rich diet and reducing your intake of alcohol can reduce the severity and frequency of gout flares. These simple dietary changes can reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood, therefore avoiding the build-up of crystals in your joints.
By making some lifestyle modifications and taking medication that helps in lowering uric acid levels, you may be able to prevent another gout attack. Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet, introduce light exercise, aim to lose weight and reduce the amount of purine-rich foods and alcohol.
There is a myriad of risk factors for gout, ranging from family history, being male and being obese through to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and diabetes. A diet high in purines and alcohol may also contribute to developing gout.
During a gout attack, you can use paracetamol, NSAIDs, colchicine or corticosteroids to reduce pain and inflammation. You can also elevate the painful joint, apply ice and rest until the worst of the pain has passed.
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