"Is surgery necessary for tophus removal?"

Surgical Intervention for Tophi

Whether surgical intervention is necessary for tophi depends on the individual patient's circumstances. If the tophi are small and asymptomatic, surgical treatment is generally not required. However, if the tophi are large or cause discomfort, surgical intervention should be considered.

No Surgery Required

Tophi are crystals formed by the deposition of uric acid salts within joints, often associated with hyperuricemia. If the patient's tophi are small and do not cause significant symptoms such as pain or swelling, surgical treatment may be temporarily unnecessary. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions and take medications like Febuxostat and Allopurinol to inhibit uric acid synthesis. Additionally, dietary adjustments should be made to avoid high-purine foods like animal viscera and seafood.

Surgery Required

If the patient's tophi are large and cause marked symptoms like pain and swelling, significantly impacting daily life and work, surgical intervention should be considered. Common surgical procedures include excision and elimination of tophi to ensure complete removal. Postoperatively, rest is crucial to avoid strenuous activities and excessive fatigue, which may hinder wound healing. In daily life, patients should maintain healthy habits, abstain from alcohol and smoking, adhere to a regular sleep schedule, and avoid staying up late. Moderate exercise is also beneficial for promoting uric acid excretion.