Each uric acid crystal is microscopic. You never get to see them, let alone watch them get beaten. Now you can.
EULAR (EUropean League Against Rheumatism) has produced 6 still images of a uric acid crystal meeting a white blood cell.
I used 4 of these pictures in the image showing on the right. This is my lead image for my uric acid page. See a full size version of my uric acid crystal graphic below
You can see all the images below, but first let me explain some very important points revealed by these pictures.
No direct nerve effect
Trapping a single crystal has no noticeable effect. These microscopic crystals are invariably described needle-like. You can see from the pictures that this is true. However, needle-like implies a stabbing pain, which is usually a direct attack on nerves. Uric acid crystals are too small to affect nerves.
Pain (acute gout) is only caused when many are trapped together. When many white blood cell attack foreign particles an inflammatory reaction occurs. This
Reaction
causes swelling that causes pain, as part of my U-D-R-P process.
Intercritical Gout
Crystals can be trapped between acute gout attacks. If only a few, there will be no side effects, or only a little tingling / numbness.
Deposits can build up slowly over time without you noticing. Joint damage and pain (Chronic / Tophaceous Gout) can occur if this is left unchecked. See causes of gout, and the
Uric Acid Deposits
part of my U-D-R-P process for more information.
Down but not out
Trapping does not "kill" crystals. If they start to dissolve the white blood cell shield will fall away, revealing the crystal to the immune system for another attack. This is why pain relief must always be considered alongside long term gout remedies.
Uric Acid Crystal Images From EULAR
This is the full set of uric acid crystal images.
Page Created: Before 2008 - Last Reviewed: 26th June 2008
