A 40-year-old obese man presents with intense pain in his left first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint for the past few hours. He has no history of trauma, fever, chills, and no previous similar episode. He has no history of renal disease or diabetes though he has been told he is “prediabetic.” He does not recall any recent skin infections and no family members have had any reported staphylococcal infection. On examination he has a swollen, red, warm, tender first MTP joint on the left. Uric acid level is 9 mg/dL; serum creatinine is normal. What is the best treatment approach for this patient?
A 40-year-old obese man presents with intense pain in his left first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint for the past few hours. He has no history of trauma, fever, chills, and no previous similar episode. He has no history of renal disease or diabetes though he has been told he is “prediabetic.” He does not recall any recent skin infections and no family members have had any reported staphylococcal infection. On examination he has a swollen, red, warm, tender first MTP joint on the left. Uric acid level is 9 mg/dL; serum creatinine is normal. What is the best treatment approach for this patient?
💡 Explanation
A 40-year-old obese man presents with intense pain in his left first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint for the past few hours. He has no history of trauma, fever, chills, and no previous similar episode. He has no history of renal disease or diabetes though he has been told he is "prediabetic." He does not recall any recent skin infections and no family members have had any reported staphylococcal infection. On examination he has a swollen, red, warm, tender first MTP joint on the left. Uric acid level is 9 mg/dL; serum creatinine is normal. What is the best treatment approach for this patient?
✓ Correct Answer: C. Begin indomethacin. As the patient improves, reduce the dose to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
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