Incidentally found in a patient after 1-2 days of hospitalization but need not necessarily be so. Majority of these patients have CKD or a history of gout prior to admission
Hospitalist:
Serum Uric Acid
X ray of the joint
Indomethacin 25mg PO every 6hrs if no renal failure
Colchicine PO 0.6mg daily, can cause GI problems
Solumedrol IV or Prednisone PO tapering doses Rheumatology consult if the you are not sure–>Allopurinol later for chronic treatment
Some patients can develop pseudo-gout also after a few days after admission. It gets better with low dose Prednisone.
Always make sure to rule out septic arthritis first.
