Gout in the knee: what to know

Gout develops when urate crystals collect inside a joint. The knee may become tender, red, warm, and difficult to bend. An attack can start quickly and may make walking uncomfortable. Knee symptoms can overlap with infection, an injury, or another form of arthritis, so the appearance alone cannot confirm gout. A clinician may review your history, examine the knee, and consider blood tests or fluid from the joint.

Gout may occur alongside health factors that affect urate handling, including chronic kidney disease. Weight, medicines, hydration, and other medical conditions can also influence risk. Explore [Gout](/conditions/gout/) and [Chronic Kidney Disease](/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/) for related background.

During a flare, rest the knee, keep it comfortably raised, and use a covered cool pack for short periods if that feels soothing. Avoid putting extra strain through painful movement. Take prescribed anti-inflammatory or urate-lowering medicine exactly as directed; do not start or stop treatment based on a single symptom. Ask before using over-the-counter pain medicine if you have kidney disease, stomach problems, take blood thinners, or use several medicines. A clinician can help create a plan for future attacks and review triggers.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for a new hot, swollen knee, especially if the pain is intense or movement is limited. Seek urgent care if you also feel feverish or unwell, the redness is spreading, or you cannot bear weight, because a joint infection can resemble gout and needs rapid treatment. Get advice sooner if symptoms follow an injury or do not begin settling with the plan you were given.

Ask whether the knee needs joint-fluid testing, which medicines are suitable with your other conditions, and how to recognise an infection. You can also ask how kidney function, weight, or current medicines may affect urate management.