Diagnosis is key to Relief of Fort Wayne Spinal Gout
Gout. If you’ve had gout, you know how unpleasant it is. You may also know how difficult it was to identify as the issue, particularly if it was in the spine. Back pain or leg pain may have been your first symptom. Your Fort Wayne chiropractor at Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc understands spinal gout, its similarities with other conditions’ symptoms, and the latest advised assessments to diagnose it early to direct you to the (appropriate!) care you need.
PREVALENCE OF SPINAL GOUT
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition affecting people around the world - 47.8 million US sufferers, 8 million UK sufferers, 108 million European sufferers - with osteoarthritis being the most common affecting joints in the knee, hands, etc. Gout is just such an inflammatory cause of pain in similar areas, making it tough to diagnose and discrimainate from other inflammatory issues. (1) A recent narrative review reported that 94% of spinal gout patients had back or neck pain, 86% showed neurological symptoms, 72% noted a history of gout, 80% had high levels of serum uric acid, and 76% underwent surgery. Though an infrequent cause of spine pain, gout’s inflammatory arthritis results from monosodium urate crystals in synovial fluid and other joint tissues (ankle, foot, hands, wrists, elbows, knees, hips, and spine). (2) An early, appropriate diagnosis of spinal gout can better guide treatment and improve clinical outcomes.
DIAGNOSIS OF SPINAL GOUT
Researchers have investigated various ways to safely and accurately diagnose gout in people who have never experienced gout. They have analyzed studies from as far back as 1945! They found that synovial fluid monosodium urate crystal analysis and imaging were superior to a clinical algorithm of signs and symptoms only for diagnosis and treatment planning. (3) Facet joint disorders, osteoarthritis, synovial cysts, etc., can complicate the diagnostic process for spinal gout. Fortunately, dual energy computed tomography (DECT) shows the crystals. However, healthcare providers must be aware of the possibility of gout to order the proper test. (4) A narrative review of published studies on spinal gout that was done by two chiropractors agreed. To improve the quality of life of spinal gout sufferers as well as the diagnosis, treatment planning and prevention of surgery, a mix of clinical symptoms, lab tests, and DECT may hold the answer. (2) Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc notes that cases of spinal gout are emerging in the medical literature.
CASES OF SPINAL GOUT and TREATMENT
One case of a 48-year-old man with sudden, severe, sharp low back pain that reduced his mobility and with no history of gout ended up with a diagnosis of spinal gout after an MRI revealed a mass in his right erector spinae muscles which lead to a biopsy that revealedspinal gout. 29% of patients with gout are affected by spinal gout, too, which didn’t help in this case of a patient without gout but is an interesting stat to consider in the next case. (5) A 41-year-old male who did have a 7-year history of gout came for help with severe back pain, fevers, and radiculopathy. After a biopsy, spinal gout was diagnosed negating an initial diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. Initial treatment often includes symptom management with colchicine, steroids, urate decreasing therapy, and NSAIDS. (6) If spinal gout is speculated, Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc will get the right tests ordered.
CONTACT Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Joseph Beissel on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for chronic back pain.
Schedule your Fort Wayne chiropractic appointment today. Your Fort Wayne chiropractor will do a complete examination to determine the best course to properly diagnose, treat, and attain the best relief of spinal gout.
