Gout Forum - Extracting cyrstals from toe joint ??

Conditions and Diseases > Gout Forum > Extracting cyrstals from toe joint ??

Gout is a common type of arthritis and accounts for about 5% of all cases of arthritic condition. But what is gout and what are the stages of this condition?...

Q: Extracting cyrstals from toe joint ??

asked by: Geo0319 on September 3rd, 2009

New User

Has anyone had crystals extracted from their toe joint? I've been told, by two podiatrists, that the only way gout can be positively identified and totally prevented from reocurring is by extracting crystals from the toe joint and analyzing the results. Based on their findings, they can prescribe a medication to prevent it from ever occurring again. Does this make sense to anyone? Has anyone ever had this done before? If so, 1) was it painful? 2) did it work? and 3) was it a permanent solution?

I'm on the verge of doing this but would like some feedback from others before considering it.

Any and all info on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Replies(1)

painfree

replied on September 4th, 2009

Experienced User

The podiatrists are right. Examing the joint fluid crystals under a polarizing microscope is the only way to reliably differentiate the crystals of gout from the crystals of pseudogout. Once that differentiation is made, the proper pharmaceutical product can be prescribed to suppress the gout.

I had that procedure done. The size of the needle used looked frightening, but there was surprisingly little pain.

If you do have gout, make sure that you don't have sleep apnea, which can cause gout plus many other life-threatening diseases if left untreated for a long time. And overcoming your sleep apnea can cure your gout, as it did for me.

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