Is Back Pain Caused By Gout?
Your back pain might be spinal gout. A recent study, that I missed from my December 2006 Newsletter, shows that spinal gout is much more common than previously thought.
In a study by Bhandaru and others, Prevalence of Spinal Gout, 630 medical records of gout patients were reviewed and 64 selected where CT scans were available. The authors found that 9 of the 64 scans (17%) showed signs of gout in the spine.
Spinal gout is much more prevalent than previously thought. The authors note that the number of cases, 9, is small and they recommend further study.
On reflection, I suppose gout in the spine is to be expected. After all, the spine consists of several joints. I occasionally get back pain. It’s never been as severe as gout pain in my joints. I’ve always assumed it is caused by posture change due to me limping with gout in my foot or knee.
Given the prevalence, I think I’d better add back pain to my gout symptoms survey.
Do you have any back pain with gout? Have you had it confirmed as spinal gout? Please share your experiences using the comment box below, or on my Contact Page.
Tags: back pain, _back, _spinal gout
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My brother suffers from severe gout and cannot take any of the normal prescribed drugs. I n November he had to go into hospital as his hand and wrist had swelled to a point where he needed an operation. While in hospital he suffered excruciating back pain, to the point where he could not walk for 2 months, on examination the doctors ‘think’ he has gout in his back. He came out of hospital in February and is still not able to walk properly, he is having regular physio,walks with sticks and is only 47.
Sorry to hear that, Paula.
Gout never really goes away, but the pain is not constant.
There might be new treatments available that your brother can tolerate.
Best to consult a rheumatologist, especially one specialising in gout.
There is a list of UK rheumatologists at rheumatology.org (and many other countries as well as State by State directory for USA).