Knee Gout and Pseudo Gout
Gout and pseudo gout occur due to the accumulation of crystals within the surface of the knee joints. The crystals stimulate the release of mediators thus leading to inflammation. While the reaction of inducing crystals is usually self-limiting, but we can interfere with its course by using anti-inflammatory medications. There is a notable increase in the incidence of gout over the last three decades.
Gout usually occurs as a result of the accumulation of monosodium urate crystals in the joint. Urate is a substance resulting from the metabolism of an amino acid purine and is normally excreted with the urine. When the serum urate levels start elevating then monosodium urate starts increasing in the extracellular fluid and cause the development of crystals. Pseudo gout is a form of arthritis similar to the condition of gout, but there is deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the knee joints. [3]