Understanding Gout Crystals: Diagnosis and Management Tips
Gout crystals I have been dealing with gout for several years, experiencing about 5-6 episodes per year with uric acid levels around 10. Will I have gout crystals in my joints? How should I ask my doctor to check this? Do I need to have an attack for it to be detectable?
Dr. Lin Xiaoyi Reply:
Hello: In clinical practice, the definitive diagnosis of gout requires the extraction of synovial fluid from the joint cavity using a needle for microscopic examination to identify the presence of urate crystals or to observe tophi. The ability to extract urate crystals during go...[Read More] Understanding Gout Crystals: Diagnosis and Management Tips
Does Placenta Extract Trigger Gout? Insights for Patients
The issue of gout? Hello Doctor: I am a gout patient, but before my gout diagnosis, I was taking health supplements (placenta extract). I would like to know if placenta extract can trigger gout? Would you recommend or advise against its use? Thank you!
Dr. Zhou Lizhi Reply:
Gout is primarily caused by elevated levels of uric acid, which is produced from purines. It is advisable to avoid excessive intake of high-purine substances. So, what are these high-purine substances? The principle is that they have a high cellular density. The substance mention...[Read More] Does Placenta Extract Trigger Gout? Insights for Patients
Understanding Left Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Left knee pain? I would like to ask about a situation where I have been sitting in front of the computer for long hours at work. I haven't fallen or bumped into anything, but suddenly my left knee started to feel pain. Initially, it was manageable, but after a month, my left...
Dr. Zhou Hongzhi Reply:
There are no sports injuries; however, conditions such as gout and rheumatism are possible. You may go to the hospital for a blood test for further examination.[Read More] Understanding Left Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Understanding Pain and Swelling Below the Right Knee: Causes and Treatment
Unexplained swelling and pain below the right knee? Hello: I suddenly experienced pain and difficulty walking in the lower right area of my right knee after getting out of bed one day. There is tenderness upon light touch, along with swelling and warmth, and the swollen area appe...
Dr. Yang Nanping Reply:
Hello: Redness, swelling, heat, and pain are clear signs of inflammation. Is there any trauma? (Such as a bruise or sprain?) Another possibility is gouty arthritis. You may want to visit the orthopedic outpatient clinic for a detailed examination. Sincerely, Dr. Yang Nanping, Ort...[Read More] Understanding Pain and Swelling Below the Right Knee: Causes and Treatment
Understanding Persistent Joint Pain: Possible Causes and Solutions
Joint pain Hello Dr. Yang: I have been experiencing pain in the joint of my right toe for quite some time. I have consulted both a gout specialist and a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, but the condition remains similar. The gout specialist confirmed that I do not have ...
Dr. Yang Nanping Reply:
Hello: The most common condition is still gout, followed by tendinitis, and stress fractures are also possible. You may return to the outpatient clinic for repeat blood tests and X-rays. Sincerely, Dr. Yang Nanping, Orthopedics.[Read More] Understanding Persistent Joint Pain: Possible Causes and Solutions
Is Gout Arthritis Diagnosis Done in Orthopedics or Another Specialty?
Gout arthritis Is the examination of synovial fluid to confirm gouty arthritis and the issuance of a diagnosis certificate performed in the primary care setting or in a different specialty?
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
It can be performed in orthopedics or rheumatology.[Read More] Is Gout Arthritis Diagnosis Done in Orthopedics or Another Specialty?
Can Knee Inflammation Cause Swelling? Understanding Treatment Options
Can knee joint inflammation cause swelling? Hello, Doctor: May I ask if inflammation of the knee joint can cause swelling and fluid accumulation? Will taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) help reduce the swelling, or do they only address the symptoms without treating the...
Dr. Li Wenlin Reply:
Hello: In response to your question... The management of knee joint effusion involves compression with elastic bandages and the use of oral anti-inflammatory medications. If the effusion does not resolve, joint aspiration is the next step, as it has two main benefits: first, it r...[Read More] Can Knee Inflammation Cause Swelling? Understanding Treatment Options
Understanding Periostitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Tips
Periostitis Hello Doctor, I would like to ask if an X-ray is necessary for periostitis. Also, can I still walk and work normally with periostitis? A friend mentioned that during inflammation, it's better to rest and not move around too much. How long does it usually take for...
Dr. Chen Xingyuan Reply:
Dear Netizen: There are many causes of knee inflammation, and it is essential to first understand the disease process, mechanisms, and undergo physical examinations to identify the underlying issue. Although inflammation is a common response, the necessary examinations and treatm...[Read More] Understanding Periostitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Tips
Knee Swelling and Inflammation: Understanding Your Symptoms and Treatment Options
Knee effusion and synovitis? I am 32 years old, female, 170 cm tall, and weigh 65 kg. About a month ago, without any intense exercise, impact, or trauma (meaning for an unknown reason), I initially felt a slight discomfort in my right knee while walking. However, two days later, ...
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
The knee joint appears to have synovitis, as the extracted fluid is yellow. It is uncertain whether it is clear; if it is, it is less likely to indicate a bacterial infection. A bacterial infection can also be detected through blood tests, and sometimes bacterial cultures of the ...[Read More] Knee Swelling and Inflammation: Understanding Your Symptoms and Treatment Options
Persistent Ankle Swelling: Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help
Swelling in the ankle that has not improved? Hello: My ankle has been swollen for six months. I fell down the stairs in February, but at that time, I didn't feel anything wrong. In March, my ankle suddenly swelled up. I initially thought it might be a complication of gout or...
Dr. Luo Zhaozhong Reply:
Hello: Ankle injuries that result in deformity, if there are no fractures, are generally related to ligament issues. There are many ligaments in the ankle, so the examination can be a bit complicated. Using ultrasound is a good method for assessment. Whether surgery is necessary ...[Read More] Persistent Ankle Swelling: Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help
Understanding Trigger Finger: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Trigger finger If bending and straightening your fingers causes pain, and pressing down also results in discomfort, along with a feeling of tightness in the fingers that has persisted for a month, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. They can assess your conditio...
Dr. Chen Xingyuan Reply:
Dear Readers, Trigger finger, formally known as stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon, is typically caused by narrowing of the first annular pulley of the flexor sheath. This condition leads to finger pain and difficulty in extending the proximal interphalangeal joint. Th...[Read More] Understanding Trigger Finger: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Effective Pain Relief Options for Bone Spurs in Seniors: A Guide
Bone spur Hello Doctor: I have the following questions and would appreciate your help in addressing my concerns, thank you! 1. My father has undergone MRI and X-ray examinations, and the doctor mentioned that he has bone spurs compressing the nerves. He is 73 years old, and it ...
Dr. Zhou Hongzhi Reply:
1. Rehabilitation is another option. 2. Depending on the situation, it is advisable to conduct an assessment of the risks and potential complications of surgery.[Read More] Effective Pain Relief Options for Bone Spurs in Seniors: A Guide
Understanding Calf Pain: Is It Gout or an Old Sports Injury?
Calf pain? Hello Doctor: My boyfriend experiences soreness in his calves whenever there is a sudden change in weather. Could this be gout? He used to be on a badminton team and often engaged in intense physical activity, so I'm concerned it might be an old injury from sports...
Dr. Zhou Lizhi Reply:
Dear user: Based on your question, your boyfriend's injury is likely due to tendonitis caused by an old injury, which can flare up with changes in weather. It is recommended that he undergo rehabilitation, and proper warm-up before exercise is also very important. This shoul...[Read More] Understanding Calf Pain: Is It Gout or an Old Sports Injury?
Managing Knee Bone Spurs and Gout: Treatment and Dietary Tips
Knee osteophytes and gout? Hello Dr. Chou, Recently, my father-in-law has been suffering from gout in his knee, which has affected his ability to walk. He went to the hospital for further examination, and the orthopedic doctor informed him that he has bone spurs in his knee. Ho...
Dr. Zhou Hongzhi Reply:
Gouty arthritis does not necessarily involve bone spurs; bone spurs are generally associated with degenerative joint disease. X-ray examinations and blood tests are required for diagnosis. If the bone spurs are small, surgery is usually not necessary. For those with gout, dietary...[Read More] Managing Knee Bone Spurs and Gout: Treatment and Dietary Tips
Understanding Knee Pain: What Tests Might Your Doctor Recommend?
Knee pain Due to my knee pain, the doctor arranged for me to have blood tests and an ultrasound of the knee joint. Could you please tell me what conditions Dr. Lu might be suspecting?
Dr. Shi Guozheng Reply:
Blood tests are used to check for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory diseases (for example, elevated uric acid levels in gouty arthritis, increased white blood cell counts in bacterial arthritis, and positive rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis). ...[Read More] Understanding Knee Pain: What Tests Might Your Doctor Recommend?
Understanding Left Knee Pain: Causes and Next Steps for Treatment
Questions about pain in the left knee? Hello, Vice Dean Hong: I have recently been experiencing soreness in my left knee, so I visited Tamsui Mackay Memorial Hospital for a consultation. The doctor advised that my elevated uric acid levels were causing the pain, with a recorded u...
Dr. Hong Ximing Reply:
Mr. Chang Fu-Hao: You are experiencing pain in your left knee, and your uric acid level is 8.1 (above the normal range). It is not possible to diagnose gout solely based on X-ray images. However, since you regularly play basketball, it is also possible that the pain is due to a s...[Read More] Understanding Left Knee Pain: Causes and Next Steps for Treatment
Understanding Ankle Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Ankle pain Hello, doctor. Two months ago, I started experiencing unexplained pain in my right ankle, although its appearance seems normal. The pain is most pronounced in the morning when I get out of bed; stepping on the floor is extremely painful, forcing me to walk with a limp....
Dr. Xu Zhijun Reply:
Joint pain without a significant history of trauma may suggest bacterial arthritis or gouty arthritis, which typically presents with noticeable redness and swelling. However, in this case, the absence of redness and swelling allows us to rule out these two conditions. The likely ...[Read More] Understanding Ankle Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Understanding Spinal Surgery: Insights on Artificial Bones and Recovery
Spinal surgery Dear Dr. Yang, My father is seventy years old. A month ago, he was diagnosed with a liver abscess and received treatment at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. The bacteria have since infected his spinal cord and eroded a vertebra. He underwent surgery a week ago...
Dr. Yang Zhengfan Reply:
Dear Kitty, Liver abscess combined with spinal osteomyelitis is a challenging condition to treat. If it leads to spinal instability, surgical intervention, as you mentioned, is necessary. The typical approach involves two surgeries: first, a posterior approach to place spinal sc...[Read More] Understanding Spinal Surgery: Insights on Artificial Bones and Recovery
Knee Pain When Descending Stairs: Should You Seek Medical Advice?
Sharp pain in the knee joint when going down stairs? Hello Dr. Luo, I have been experiencing a sharp pain at the lower edge of my left knee joint when going down stairs or walking downhill, but there are no symptoms when walking on flat surfaces. This has been occurring for abou...
Dr. Luo Zhaozhong Reply:
Hello! 1. Regarding the first question, it may be due to joint degeneration. Here are two articles for your reference. 2. For the second question, it resembles median nerve compression, and further physical examination would clarify the situation. As people age, do their joint...[Read More] Knee Pain When Descending Stairs: Should You Seek Medical Advice?
Understanding Finger Joint Pain: Causes and Connections to Other Joints
Finger joint pain In the past year, I have frequently experienced swelling and pain in my left middle finger, to the point where I sometimes cannot remove my ring. Additionally, I occasionally have similar issues with my heels, toes, and knees. I have had my uric acid levels test...
Dr. Xie Tianjie Reply:
The symptoms of pain and swelling in the joints of the fingers and toes mentioned by the online user are common in patients with gout. A normal serum uric acid level does not definitively rule out gout, as uric acid levels in the blood can rapidly metabolize and return to normal ...[Read More] Understanding Finger Joint Pain: Causes and Connections to Other Joints