Gout is a crystal-induced deposition disease caused by the saturation and precipitation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the synovial fluid, surface of the hyaline cartilage, tendons and soft tissue. This common condition affects up to 1% of the population. The prevalence is increasing every year due to different eating habits and lifestyle changes. Men are affected 4 to 10 times more often than women. Several factors are required for MSU crystals to form. The main underlying factor is hyperuricemia, which is a consequence of either excessive production of uric acid or lack of its clearance. Gout undergoes four stages during its course, starting with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. In this stage patients have no symptoms or signs. The second stage is an acute gouty attack characterized by acute inflammation of one or multiple joints. Gout has a predilection for lower extremities such as the first metatarsophalangeal joint, which is the most commonly affected place. Acute flares usually resolve spontaneously in 5 to 10 days. When the acute attack subsides, patients enter into a remission phase known as the intercritical period. This is the third stage and is characterized by the absence of symptoms and can last for many years. Untreated disease progresses into destruction of joints with formation of palpable tophi. This chronic tophaceous gout can lead to severe loss of function. Gout is mainly diagnosed by identification of the pathognomonic MSU crystals obtained by joint fluid aspiration and detected under polarized microscopy. NSAIDs and colchicine are used in the management of acute flares. In the long term it is important to keep serum uric acid levels below the deposition threshold, either by dietary modification or using serum uric acid lowering drugs.