Goutis a punch in ofinflammatory arthritisthat develops when the body has high uric acid levels, known ashyperuricemia.
Gout often affects the big toe but can also affect other joints, including the thumb.
The MCP joint is the large joint within the hand, where the thumb joint meets the hand bones.
eyepark / Getty Images
It connects to the CMC joint.
eyepark / Getty Images
What Causes Gout in the Thumb?
Excess uric acid builds up in the bloodstream.
Some uric acid can move from the bloodstream into the joints and form crystals.
When this happens, your immune system will see theurate crystalsas foreign invaders and activate an inflammatory response.
Symptoms of an inflammatory response in an affected joing include:
Certain factors increase gout risk.
Genes and Family History
Your risk for gout is higher if the condition runs in your family.
They can also be found in alcohol, especially beer, and sugary drinks, including soft drinks.
How Common Is Gout in the Thumb?
Is Your Thumb Pain Due to Gout or Something Else?
Gout attacks can cause excruciating pain, which makes them hard to miss.
However, gout is not the only condition or bang out of arthritis that affects the thumb.
These other conditions are more likely to cause thumb pain.
RA frequently affects the joints of the hands, including the fingers and thumbs.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Like RA,psoriatic arthritis(PsA) is an autoimmune arthritis.
Many people with PsA also havepsoriasis, anautoimmune skin disease.
Any injury to the thumb’s bones and ligaments can lead to pain and swelling of the thumb joints.
Cartilage is the material that acts as a cushion and allows bones to glide gently against each other.
It can be hard to identify which arthritic condition is causing your thumb pain by relying on symptoms alone.
These masses can cause pain, joint deformity, and limited range of motion.
Tophi can affect any joint, including in the fingers and thumbs.
It is a sign of advanced or chronic gout.
If you think you might have gout, see a healthcare provider.
A healthcare provider will typically examine your thumb for lumps that might indicate tophi.
People with gout should avoid foods and beverages high in purines.
Applying ice packs and cold compresses to the affected thumb can help manage pain and swelling.
you’re able to apply ice for up to 20 minutes several times a day.
Last, avoid using the affected thumb during the gout flare.
Ask your healthcare provider if a splint or brace might help to manage your thumb gout symptoms.
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop a sudden and severe swelling and pain in your thumb.
Treatment can help reduce symptoms and prevent future attacks, chronic gout, and tophi.
2019;71(6):991-999. doi:10.1002/art.40807
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Gout.
(2016).The rheumatoid thumb.
In: Chung, K. (eds) Clinical Management of the Rheumatoid Hand, Wrist, and Elbow.
2021;24(12):1467-1472. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14156
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Pseudogout.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Basal joint arthritis: osteoarthritis of the thumb.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Dakkak M, Lanney H.Management of gout: update from the American College of Rheumatology.Am Fam Physician.
2021;104(2):209-210.
Sowinska I, Sowinski R, Rutkowska-Sak L.Tophi - surgical treatment.Reumatologia.
2016;54(5):267-272. doi:10.5114/reum.2016.63819
