Extensive Digital Contractures Caused by Gout

Gout is a very common inflammatory arthritis by monosodium urate crystal deposition with increasing incidence.(1,2) Tophi appears, on average, 11.6 years after the initial acute attack of gouty arthritis.(3) Most patients with digital contractures caused by tophi or tenosynovitis have undergone surgery.(3-7) In this article, we report a case of successful medical treatment of extensive gouty digital flexion contractures.

A 51-year old male patient presented with an 18-month history of an inability to flex his right second to fourth fingers. There was no family history of gout. Physical examination showed no mass or erythema in his hands, and no sensory deficits. Passive limitations of motion were present. The active range of motion of the right second to fourth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and that of the right second to fourth proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints were limited to less than 5° and 30° of flexion, respectively (Figure 1a, c). The neurologist suggested idiopathic focal dystonia as a possible diagnosis with the normal findings of electromyography, nerve conduction velocity, and cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging. The serum uric acid level was elevated at 8.2 mg/dL and estimated glomerular filtration rate by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease was 67 mL/minute. His lipid panel was normal except for triglyceride (365 mg/dL). Plain radiography of his foot and ankle showed no abnormal findings. Ultrasonography revealed synovial hypertrophies at all the MCP, PIP, and distal interphalangeal joints of his right hand with bony erosions and multiple hyper and hypoechogenic regions, representing tophi (Figure 2a). The second to fourth flexor digitorum tendons also showed diffuse thickening with hyperechogenicity along the sheaths (Figure 2b). Magnetic resonance imaging of the right hand revealed multiple areas of synovial and capsular enhancement at all the MCP, PIP, and distal interphalangeal joints, and heterogenous signal intensities with enhancement around all flexor and extensor tendons (Figure 2c). Polarized microscopy of aspirate from a white deposit on his left ear showed many negatively-birefringent, needle-shaped crystals. Febuxostat (40 mg per day), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and rehabilitation were started. Eight months later, the serum uric acid level decreased to 5.2 mg/dL. The active range of motion of the right second to fourth MCP joints improved from 5° to 30° of flexion, and that of the PIP joints from 30° to 90° (Figure 1b, d).

The causes of flexion contractures in this case are thought to be tophi between articular margins and swelling of flexor tendons. Gouty involvement of hands with tenosynovitis and tophi, even more as initial presentations, is unusual.(2-4,6) With the changing pattern of gout and its expanding clinical spectrum, physicians should be aware that gout can occur even if the initial presentation is in the upper extremity.(2,8) Because digital hand contractures without signs of acute inflammation can suggest gout, its evaluation should include a search for tophi or hyperuricemia. When there is unusual presentation of gout, it is necessary to rule out infection, neuropathy, another type of arthritis, and tumors.(5,9) Most importantly, gout may be preferentially managed with medication, even if joint contractures are present.