When uric acid levels in the blood are prolonged at a high level, excess uric acid can crystallize into urate crystals and deposit in joints and soft tissues. These crystals trigger inflammatory reactions, causing pain, swelling, heat, and redness characteristic of gout.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ly Mong Dao, Head of Musculoskeletal and Immunology Department, Peking University Medical Center Hospital, said that accumulated uric acid crystals can form tophi particles, directly destroying joint structure, leading to deformity and limited movement. Prolonged chronic inflammation can also cause damage to the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
Initially, patients may only experience sudden joint pain, commonly in the big toe, which can then spread to the feet, ankles, knees, fingers, or wrists. If left uncontrolled, recurrent episodes of inflammation can turn into chronic arthritis and form hard lumps around the joint - which are tophi particles.
Tophi seeds not only cause unsightliness. When they grow large, they can hinder movement, cause pain, and damage bones and cartilage. In some cases, tophi seeds appearing on the feet and toes also make it difficult for patients to wear shoes; if the disease progresses severely, the joints may deform and decline in function.
Prof. Dr. Truong Trac Ly, Head of Musculoskeletal and Immunology Department, Peking University Hospital, also warned that gout is not a disease that only needs to be endured through pain. According to this expert, increased uric acid and long-term accumulation of urate crystals can continue to cause damage to joints, kidneys and cardiovascular system even when the pain symptoms temporarily disappear.
It is noteworthy that high uric acid does not necessarily mean that the joint will be deformed. This risk is especially concerning in people who have got gout, frequently relapse, have tophi granules or chronic arthritis. Therefore, no longer pain does not mean the disease has been controlled.
Uric acid control needs to be carried out for a long time according to the doctor's instructions. In addition to adjusting the diet, limiting alcohol, sugary drinks, controlling weight and drinking enough water, people who have got gout or have prolonged increased uric acid need to be assessed to determine whether hypouricemia treatment is needed or not. Do not only use pain relievers when you have an attack and then stop monitoring.
According to experts, the goal of treatment is not only to cut off pain but also to reduce the amount of urate crystals accumulated, prevent joint damage from progressing and protect organ function in the long term.
