6. Stiffness
During a gout attack, the pain can be very intense, and there’s a significant limitation in the movement of the affected articulation. Stiffness is experienced in the same painful articulation. It happens because the uric acid crystals interfere with the normal functioning of the articulation and create an obstacle to the movements. Moreover, as noted above, uric acid crystals will also create erosion in the articulation and inflammation with significant pain. These symptoms will contribute to stiffness because patients feel tenderness in the articulations when they try to move them.