Tophi gout in hand

Chronic symptoms such as joint deformity and limitation of motion in affected joints may occur if several attacks of gout occur repeatedly. Uric acid deposits called tophi develop in cartilage tissue, tendons, and soft tissues. These tophi usually develop only after a patient has suffered from the disease for many years. Deposits also can occur in the urine, producing kidney stones, and in the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney failure.

Review Date: 12/23/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.