How do gout and osteoarthritis of the knee differ from one another?

Highlights:

• Gout, which is common among both men and women, causes acute pain, inflammation, redness, and a hot sensation in the affected joint. Knee osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is more common among the over 50s, with women more susceptible than men. The latter condition can cause pain in the knee joint, freezing or stiffness in the joint, a loud clicking sound coming from the joint, pain when touching a certain area of the knee, and joint deformities.
• Both gout and knee arthritis can significantly impact patients and their daily lives. Therefore, anyone experiencing joint pain is advised to undergo a medical diagnosis that will enable timely treatment for their condition. Do not, under any circumstances, overlook such pain because the more these conditions are allowed to deteriorate, the more complex and difficult treatment becomes. 

Gout and knee osteoarthritis are both most commonly characterized by joint inflammation. The risk factors for each condition are also similar, namely aging, obesity, and diet.

Gout and knee osteoarthritis are similar in that they can both cause joint pain as well as swelling and deformities in joints, and they can also be triggers for one another. However, there are some key differences between these two conditions.
 
Key differences between gout and knee osteoarthritis

High-risk groups

• Gout: Common among both men and women.
• Knee osteoarthritis: More prevalent among the over 50s, with women more susceptible than men due to hormonal and musculoskeletal factors.

Gout versus knee osteoarthritis: causes

• Gout: Caused by hyperuricemia and an inability to flush out uric acid from the body, resulting in an accumulation of the substance in various joints and organs.
• Knee osteoarthritis: Caused by joint surface wear and tear, age-related degeneration, and several other associated factors. As the joint surface wears away, it causes joint pain that can lead to inflammation.

 
Gout versus knee osteoarthritis: symptoms

• Gout symptoms:
  • Symptoms of gout are acute pain, inflammation, redness, and a hot sensation in the affected joint. Gout can affect various joints, including ankles, elbows, knees, and wrists, although it is most common in the big toe and generally affects a single joint at a time rather than several joints simultaneously.
  • Severe pain in one knee.
  • Pain may come and go in the initial stages but, if not treated properly, could become more frequent and long-lasting, eventually resulting in chronic inflammation alongside other complications, such as kidney disease and kidney failure.
• Knee osteoarthritis symptoms:
  • Knee pain, freezing or stiffness in the joint lasting no more than 30 minutes after waking up, a loud clicking sound coming from the joint, pain when touching a certain area of the knee, joint deformities, and swelling. Symptoms tend to come and go but are considered chronic should they last for more than 6 months.
  • Both knees will be in pain simultaneously.
  • Pain may come and go, or worsen after exercise, although it does not tend to last long and usually goes away without treatment. Nevertheless, should the pain increase to a moderate level, it could start to last longer despite a lack of exercise, and may not go away without treatment, or may decrease but not go away altogether.

Treatment

• Gout: Treating and managing gout to prevent repeat occurrences can be achieved with a course of drugs used to reduce the production of uric acid, which must be stringently followed to ensure acute symptoms do not present, as well as to prevent a repeat episode of hyperuricemia and its associated complications.
• Knee osteoarthritis: Treatment depends on the condition’s severity, which differs from case to case, but it generally involves the following steps:
  • Pain relief drugs or anti-inflammatory medication
  • Physical therapy
  •  Artificial synovial fluid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
  • Arthroscopic surgery
  • Artificial knee joint replacement surgery

Self-care aimed at prevention 

• Gout: In addition to taking medication, patients should avoid foods that are high in uric acid and be sure to stay hydrated as this will help flush uric acid from the body. Patients should regulate their body weight, and a cool compress can be used to alleviate joint pain.
• Knee osteoarthritis: In addition to the steps mentioned above, lifestyle modifications, adjusting diet, regular exercise, regulating body weight and reducing exposure to risk factors associated with the onset and deterioration of knee pain all play key roles in maintaining good health.
• Symptoms of gout and knee osteoarthritis can significantly impact both the physical and mental state of those experiencing them, leading to stress, anxiety, and severe disruption of their daily lives. Therefore, if you start to suffer with joint pain, it is recommended that you seek medical attention so as to undergo a diagnosis that will enable treatment specific to the causes of your condition. This is important because gout can be managed and cured with regular medication and by strict adherence to the advice of doctors, while knee osteoarthritis can be treated to minimize pain. Do not under any circumstances neglect to have either issue diagnosed. The more each condition is allowed to deteriorate, the more difficult and complex subsequent treatment becomes.