Diagnosis is key to Relief of Groton Spinal Gout
Gout. If you have experienced gout, you know how unpleasant it is. You may also know how difficult it was to identify as the issue, especially if it was in the spine. Back pain or leg pain may have been your first symptom. Your Groton chiropractor at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office is aware of spinal gout, its resemblance to other conditions’ symptoms, and the latest recommended tests to diagnose it sooner than later to direct you to the (appropriate!) care you need.
PREVALENCE OF SPINAL GOUT
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition impacting 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 challenging to diagnose and discrimainate from other inflammatory issues. (1) A new narrative review reported that 94% of spinal gout patients had back or neck pain, 86% displayed neurological symptoms, 72% noted a history of gout, 80% had high levels of serum uric acid, and 76% went through a surgery. Though an uncommon cause of spine pain, gout’s inflammatory arthritis stems 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 direct treatment and improve clinical outcomes.
DIAGNOSIS OF SPINAL GOUT
Researchers have explored various ways to safely and accurately diagnose gout in people who have never experienced gout. They have reviewed studies from as far back as 1945! They found that synovial fluid monosodium urate crystal analysis and imaging were better than a clinical algorithm of signs and symptoms only for diagnosis and treatment planning. (3) Facet joint disorders, osteoarthritis, synovial cysts, etc., can muddle the diagnostic process for spinal gout. Fortunately, dual energy computed tomography (DECT) illustrates the crystals. However, healthcare providers must be aware that gout is a possible cause to order the proper test. (4) A narrative review of published studies on spinal gout that was completed by two chiropractors concurred. To enhanced 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 key. (2) Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office documents 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 limited his mobility and with no history of gout wound 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 exposedspinal gout. 29% of patients with gout experience spinal gout, too, which did not 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 presented with severe back pain, fevers, and radiculopathy. After a biopsy, spinal gout was diagnosed invalidating an initial diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. Primary treatment often involves symptom management with colchicine, steroids, urate reducing therapy, and NSAIDS. (6) If spinal gout is speculated, Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office will get the right tests ordered.
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
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 Groton chiropractic appointment soon. Your Groton chiropractor will do a thorough examination to figure out the best course to properly diagnose, treat, and attain the best relief of spinal gout.
