Any guesses what this could be?

[Lifeisnteasy]

DH has been having flare-ups with the joint at the base of his big toe for a few years now. It usually comes on once every six months to a year, it swells up, becomes hot & very painful. Usually lasts a couple of weeks then fades off.

He’s been tested for gout - negative. He’s quite into fitness etc and doesn’t think it’s an injury or similar. The GP only seems to run tests if DH asks to be tested for something specific - any ideas please? The only other thing I can think of is rheumatoid arthritis.

Thanks in advance!

Bump!

My first thought was gout but he’s already been tested for that. Next option is a flare of osteoarthritis-this is common in the base of the big toe joint-do the flares usually come at busy/active times for DH? Do certain shoes/sole types aggravate it? Perhaps have a think about orthotics and or a few foot exercises to ensure all the other joints are moving well and not putting more strain through the toe joint.

What tests were done for gout and were they done when the flare was actually happening?

Check what shoes he's worn on those occasions. It seems obvious I know, but hard shoes for a wedding the day before, wellies, trainers- any one of them could aggravate it and cause it to flare up. Not necessarily while he's wearing them, but the day after.

Can he ask for an x-ray?
Or go and see a podiatrist privately during a flaire up?

Thanks everyone, turns out it is gout - his tests didn’t flag anything because the uric acid was just within the realms of normal, but when the GP checked them, very much at the top end.