The affected joint rapidly becomes very painful, often to the point that even the weight of a sheet is unbearable. Untreated, each attack lasts approximately a week. After the first attack, which almost always involves only one joint, it is usually months or years before the next one occurs. But without the right management, attacks become more frequent, last longer and may involve other joints. Repeated attacks may accelerate joint damage.
Uric acid can also deposit in other tissue.
They usually occur near affected joints or around the elbow, toes, fingers and even the outer edge of the ear. Tophi usually take many years to be easily seen. In some people, excess uric acid can be deposited in the kidney as stones or, less commonly, in the bladder as gravel or multiple stones. The can cause problems with kidney function and sometimes, severe pain. Almost all people with gout have too much uric acid in their blood, a condition called hyperuricaemia.