@ndmcl49: I ought to add that when both my knees were both inflamed with fluid I did need to have them aspirated. There is a medication for gout, unfortunately the side effect is diarrhea and I had enough of that with the colitis so I did have to live with the inflammation during the worst of it as it also affected my hip, elbow and shoulder. The winter was not a fun time! Hope your inflammation settles quickly and you’re able to possibly able to avoid surgery.