Q: How much time does gouty arthritis take to heal? My uric acid level is around 7.5, and currently I am on Zyloric 100 mg. What is the dose you suggest and how much time would it take for me to recover? Can this problem heal permanently? My left toe had swollen up last month?

A:Reading your description about your problem, it appears that you need to be seen by an experienced and well-trained rheumatologist (not an orthopaedic surgeon) who can give you appropriate scientific information and advice on the following issues: - Metabolic syndrome - Hyperuricaemia as a marker of metabolic syndrome - Significance of high uric acid level in blood and its consequences - How to diagnose gout with certainty - How to treat acute attack of gout - How to treat gout once the acute attack subsides - Life-style changes that must be done in this condition As you can realise, writing every thing about the points mentioned above would take a whole book chapter. I strongly recommend that you read about gout on www.DoctorNDTV.com. A lot of these details are already given there. Coming to your specific question regarding how much time does gout arthritis take to heal - usually not more than a few days if appropriate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines have been given in appropriate doses (to be decided by the treating rheumatologist, depending upon the clinical condition and several other factors (including any other associated diseases, etc.). You are taking 100 mg of Zyloric but this is not the correct dose. But, whether you require allopurinol (Zyloric) or not is to be decided before you are given this medicine. Again this will have to be done by your treating Rheumatologist who has to take in account the number of acute gouty attacks you are getting and several other additional factors including your renal state etc. Gout can be kept under control fully and completely with appropriate modifications in life-style and appropriate medicines. Being a genetic condition, however, the treatment must continue throughout life - non-stop! Regarding the swelling of the toes, there are many causes of swelling of the toes. Gout is only one of them. Your treating rheumatologist has to carefully assess the situation and then make appropriate diagnosis for proper treatment.