Tophi On Index Finger

June 22, 2018

April 15, 2012

This photo collage represents the progression of tophaceous gout in the finger.

Built from three photographs shared by a gout forum contributor, this collage shows the following three stages:

Early Stages Of Tophi On Index Finger

The largest of the photographs is from May 2006. I do not know how long this had been swollen, but the contributor notes that the skin had not broken at that stage.

Later Stages Of Tophi On Index Finger

The upper right of the photographs is from August 2009. Although the skin had still not broken at that stage, solid tophi are clearly visible and the contributor decided to take matters into his own hands and lanced his finger.

For safety, it is much better to consult your doctor, but this particular gout patient had long become disillusioned with his medical care. One doctor maintained that his uric level of 9mg/dL (0.54mmol/L) was acceptable.

I saw a total of 6 doctors between 1984 and 2010 (not to mention the army of 8-10 when I was in the emergency/hospital with my open wound infected left big toe) and NONE of them put me on a gout-management plan or explained the seriousness of [uric acid] crystal build-up in my body.

Final Stages Of Tophi On Index Finger

The lower right of the photographs is from May 2010. The contributor reports intermittent oozing of uric acid crystals for many months, but there is a happy ending.

With a new doctor on board, febuxostat (Uloric) was prescribed, and his condition is much improved.