Gout is included in the wide category of "arthritis," which refers to a variety of joint conditions and joint discomfort. While certain types of arthritis cause joint inflammation, others do not. A typical kind of inflammatory arthritis is gout. The cause is a crystal known as uric acid.
Gout results in swelling and discomfort in one or more joints. The big toe is commonly affected. However, it can also be seen in other joints, such as the elbow, knee, ankle, and foot.
