Treatment for gout in the knee

Acute treatment addresses pain and inflammation while the knee is swollen. Depending on your medical history, a clinician may consider an anti-inflammatory, colchicine, or a steroid treatment. The choice and dose depend on kidney function, stomach health, other conditions, and current medicines. A hot swollen knee may need testing before treatment is settled because infection can resemble gout.

Longer-term treatment focuses on preventing urate crystals from building up again. It may involve urate-lowering medicine, follow-up blood tests, and practical changes selected with your clinician. Learn more from [Gout](/conditions/gout/) and [Chronic Kidney Disease](/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/).

Take prescribed medicine according to the schedule, even if the knee starts to feel better, unless the prescriber changes the plan. Do not combine anti-inflammatory medicines or use a relative’s tablets. Rest the knee during the most painful stage, elevate it, and try a covered cool pack. Keep a record of flares, possible triggers, and missed doses. At review, mention side effects, new prescriptions, and whether pain or swelling is returning between attacks.

Contact a clinician promptly if the first treatment is not helping, the knee becomes more swollen, or you develop a new symptom after taking medicine. Seek urgent care for fever, chills, rapidly spreading redness, severe illness, or inability to bear weight. These signs can indicate infection or another problem requiring immediate assessment rather than a change in gout tablets alone.

Ask which medicine is for an active flare and which is for prevention, when each should start, and what side effects require help. Ask how kidney function and your other prescriptions affect the safest option, and when follow-up is needed.