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Surgical Treatment of Gout

Gout is a systemic, metabolic, chronic disease caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. It can lead to severe pain, joint deformities, and the formation of tophi (dense deposits of crystals), significantly limiting mobility. In complex cases where conservative treatment is ineffective, specialists at the Helyos Family Health and Rehabilitation Medical Center in Ukraine recommend surgical intervention to remove tophi and restore joint function.

What is Gout and What Causes It?

Gout is an inflammatory disease that develops due to elevated uric acid levels in the body. Its crystals accumulate in the joints, leading to pain and inflammation.

Main causes of gout:

Poor diet (high purine content in foods such as organ meats, red meat, soups and broths, seafood—especially salmon, shrimp, lobsters, and sardines), foods and drinks with high fructose content, alcohol (especially beer)
Heredity
Obesity
Excessive alcohol consumption
Kidney disease

When conservative therapy is ineffective, doctors recommend surgical treatment of gout to eliminate complications.

Symptoms of Gout

Gout symptoms appear suddenly and can be extremely painful. The disease most often affects the joints of the big toes but can also spread to other joints.

Main symptoms of gout:

Severe joint pain
Redness, swelling, and the formation of tophi
Increased temperature in the affected area
Limited joint mobility

If the disease progresses and traditional treatment is ineffective, a specialist may suggest surgical treatment of gout to restore joint function.

Diagnosis of Gout

At the Helyos clinic in Dnipro, gout diagnosis includes several important steps to determine the presence and stage of the disease:

Blood test to measure uric acid levels
Ultrasound of joints to detect uric acid crystals
X-ray to assess joint condition
Joint fluid analysis

For comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, patients are offered a consultation with a rheumatologist specializing in joint diseases. If necessary, other specialists, such as an orthopedist or nephrologist, may be involved since gout can affect the kidneys and other organs.

Indications for Surgical Treatment of Gout

The main indications for surgical removal of gout include:

Presence of large tophi that impair joint function
Joint deformities that hinder movement
Frequent and severe disease flare-ups
Infection of the affected joint

The doctor evaluates the patient’s condition and determines the need for surgical intervention to restore mobility and relieve pain.

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Stages of Gout Surgery

Gout removal surgery involves several key steps:

Patient preparation: Examination, tests, and consultation with a doctor
Anesthesia: Local or general anesthesia, depending on case complexity
Surgical removal: The surgeon removes tophi or affected joint tissues
Recovery: Postoperative care, rehabilitation, and joint monitoring to restore mobility

These steps ensure effective surgical treatment of gout, helping patients return to an active life.

Rehabilitation After Gout Surgery

Rehabilitation after gout removal includes several stages to help the patient recover quickly.

Main rehabilitation steps:

Physiotherapy to restore joint mobility
Special exercises under the supervision of a rehabilitation therapist and a physical medicine specialist
Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain
Diet management to prevent gout recurrence

The cost of gout surgery in Ukraine varies depending on case complexity and the medical facility. A specialist consultation will help determine the best rehabilitation plan.