Arthritis and Gout Gout is a form of arthritis -- an inflammation of the joints -- that causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling in some joints. It usually affects one joint at a time, although it can be in several joints at once.

The large toe is most often affected, but gout can also affect other joints in the leg -- such as the knee, ankle, and foot -- and less often, the hand, wrist, fingers, and elbow. The spine is almost never affected.

Gout Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments