The Diagnosis of gout

 A condition that is generally the fact that is difficult to diagnose is Gout. It most commonly occurs in the big toe joint where it is swollen, hot, red and very painful. We can directly conclude that it is gout and there is often no doubt about the diagnosis based on the clinical signs. The only thing that needs to be ruled out is an infection. Many rheumatologists do like to take some of the fluid from out of the affected joint and look at it under a microscope to see if the uric acid crystals are present. The diagnosis of gout when it affects other joints is not as easy as it is in the big toe joint.