A 28-year-old previously healthy woman developed worsening right hip pain without any preceding trauma or injury. Because of concern for septic arthritis, she underwent arthroscopic irrigation and debridement. The culture specimens were negative; crystal analysis showed monosodium urate crystals, which are consistent with an acute gout flare. The patient was started on naproxen and prednisone therapy and had substantial improvement in hip pain.
Gout is a common cause of joint pain in older individuals. While rare in younger patients, our case report shows that gout should be included in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with acute monoarthritis, regardless of age.