Difference Between Gout and Bursitis (With Table)

Gout and Bursitis are two health-related problems that are generally seen in the joints of the human body. It is often noticed that Gout and Bursitis can create swelling joints and therefore he/she might not be able to walk or lift their hands since it is painful. In short, no movement is expected. Proper care and medication should be provided to the patient who even sees the slightest syndrome of Gout and Bursitis.

Gout vs Bursitis

The main difference between the joint conditions Gout and Bursitis is that their main symptoms of diagnosis are different from each other. It is generally noticed that Gout is diagnosed by the Synovial Fluid in the joints. On the other hand, it is generally noticed that Bursitis is diagnosed by the Bursal fluid in the joints.

During the condition of Gout, one can often notice that the joints suddenly change their shape and size, because of the monosodium urate crystals that cause swollen joints. The person who is diagnosed with Gout finds it difficult to move their body or the repetitive area of diagnosis. It is generally noticed that Gout is diagnosed by the Synovial Fluid in the joints.

On the other hand, during the condition of Bursitis, the joints of the patient suddenly fill with some fluid that gives it a structure of sac and further causes severe pain and difficulty in the joints. They are unable to move. Bursitis can be both Chronic and Acute which depends upon the symptoms or durability. It is generally noticed that Bursitis is diagnosed by the Bursal fluid in the joints.

Comparison Table Between Gout and Bursitis

Parameters of Comparison

Gout

Bursitis

Definition

Gout is a serious condition that discomforts the joints by causing some pain, redness, and swelling.

Bursitis is a serious condition that collects fluid in the joints and further causes discomfort and severe pain.

Other Responsible Factors

It is often noticed that Gout is caused by the crystals of uric acid.

It is often noticed that Bursitis is caused due to several reasons such as Gout, Arthritis, Diabetes, Thyroid Diseases, etc.

Diagnosis

It is generally noticed that Gout is diagnosed by the Synovial Fluid in the joints.

It is generally noticed that Bursitis is diagnosed by the Bursal fluid in the joints.

Cause

Gout can be caused by some history of genetic and also in a person who is also diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Bursitis can be caused and can take drastic changes by the excessive usage of the same joint again and again.

Symptoms

Gout includes various symptoms such as pain in the areas where generally Gout is detected like ankles, foot, knee, toe, and other symptoms like swelling of the joints, redness, discomfort to move, etc.

Bursitis includes various symptoms such as pain in the areas where generally bursitis is detected like arms, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and other symptoms like swelling, redness, etc.

Specialist

The specialists who look after the problem of Gout are the Rheumatologist, and the Primary Care Provider (PCP).

The specialists who look after the problem of Bursitis are Primary Care Provider (PCP), Rheumatologists, Sports Medicine, and Physiotherapists.

Seriousness

Gout is comparatively a bit less severe than Bursitis.

Bursitis is comparatively more severe than Gout.

Treatment

Gout includes both self-care and medication help for the treatment. The self-care treatment requires factors such as weight loss, ice packs, etc. And the medication treatment requires factors such as analgesics, uric acid reducer, steroids, anti-inflammatory, etc.

Bursitis also includes two treatments and they are self-care and medication. The self-care treatment includes factors like bed rest, ice packs, compression, elevation, physical exercise, etc. And, the medication treatment includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Complication

Gout includes many complications such as kidney stones, kidney infections, etc.

Bursitis causes a severe complication that is known as Septic Bursitis.

What is Gout?

People often notice some swelling and redness in their joints which is painful and unable the person to body their body or the respective joint that is noticed and therefore this swelling of joints is known as Gout. Gout is a painful joint condition. Mostly, Gout is caused in the patients of Uric acid and therefore the crystals of Uric acid allow the joints to swell. And, when it becomes painful it is known to be Gout. It is generally diagnosed by the Synovial Fluid in the joints.

Gout is not diagnosed in Uric acid patients but also in some history of genetic and also in a person who is also diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. It has various symptoms that can be both mild as well as severe. It includes symptoms such as pain in the areas where generally Gout is detected like ankles, foot, knee, toe, and other symptoms like swelling of the joints, redness, discomfort to move, etc. One should take proper care and seek help from a specialist in the initial stage itself.

Gout includes both self-care and medication help for the treatment. The self-care treatment requires factors such as weight loss, ice packs, etc. And the medication treatment requires factors such as analgesics, uric acid reducer, steroids, anti-inflammatory, etc. And, if it is not taken care then it can create complications such as kidney stones, kidney infections, etc.

What is Bursitis?

When the joints of the body start collecting fluids in it, and giving it the shape of a sac is known as Bursitis. Bursitis is a serious health issue. The swelling and redness caused by the condition of Bursitis give a lot of pain and therefore the person is unable to move their body. It is an intense condition that is both acute and chronic as well. The main causes behind the condition are Gout, Arthritis, Diabetes, Thyroid Diseases, etc.

Also, it is generally noticed that Bursitis is diagnosed by the Bursal fluid in the joints. And this fluid is collected by the repetitive motions caused by the joints. And therefore the motions keep collecting the fluid slowly and gradually and after some time it starts showing the other minor symptoms but later on the swelling and pain becomes severe. The specialists that look after the department of Bursitis are Primary Care Provider (PCP), Rheumatologists, Sports Medicine, and Physiotherapists.

The minor and major symptoms of Bursitis also include two treatments and they are self-care and medication. The self-care treatment includes factors like bed rest, ice packs, compression, elevation, physical exercise, etc. And, the medication treatment includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. And, if this is not shown to the specialist then it can cause severe Septic Bursitis.

Main Differences Between Gout and Bursitis

  1. Gout is a serious condition that discomforts the joints by causing some pain, redness, and swelling. On the other hand, Bursitis is a serious condition that collects fluid in the joints and further causes discomfort and severe pain.
  2. It is often noticed that Gout is caused by the crystals of uric acid. On the other hand, it is often noticed that Bursitis is caused due to several reasons such as Gout, Arthritis, Diabetes, Thyroid Diseases, etc.
  3. It is generally noticed that Gout is diagnosed by the Synovial Fluid in the joints. On the other hand, it is generally noticed that Bursitis is diagnosed by the Bursal fluid in the joints.
  4. Gout can be caused by some history of genetic and also in a person who is also diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, Bursitis can be caused and can take drastic changes by the excessive usage of the same joint again and again.
  5. Gout includes various symptoms such as pain in the areas where generally Gout is detected like ankles, foot, knee, toe, and other symptoms like swelling of the joints, redness, discomfort to move, etc. On the other hand, Bursitis includes various symptoms such as pain in the areas where generally bursitis is detected like arms, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and other symptoms like swelling, redness, etc.
  6. The specialists who look after the problem of Gout are the Rheumatologist, and the Primary Care Provider (PCP). On the other hand, the specialists who look after the problem of Bursitis are Primary Care Provider (PCP), Rheumatologists, Sports Medicine, and Physiotherapists.
  7. Gout is comparatively a bit less severe than Bursitis. On the other hand, Bursitis is comparatively more severe than Gout.
  8. Gout includes both self-care and medication help for the treatment. The self-care treatment requires factors such as weight loss, ice packs, etc. And the medication treatment requires factors such as analgesics, uric acid reducer, steroids, anti-inflammatory, etc. On the other hand, Bursitis also includes two treatments and they are self-care and medication. The self-care treatment includes factors like bed rest, ice packs, compression, elevation, physical exercise, etc. And, the medication treatment includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  9. Gout includes many complications such as kidney stones, kidney infections, etc. On the other hand, Bursitis causes a severe complication that is known as Septic Bursitis.

Conclusion

As we come to know, Gout and Bursitis are variations of joint conditions that are painful. They don’t even allow the patient to move as it causes severe pain, redness, and swelling. But it is possible to cure if the proper treatment is provided. Both Gout and Bursitis include Self-care and Medication treatment. Their symptoms, complications, risk factors, etc are different. One should take proper care and medication from the initial stages of diagnosis.

References

  1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1534734613511638
  2. https://europepmc.org/article/med/9150094