[Nathans_Dad]

Gout is a crystalline arthropathy, which usually does affect the distal joints like toes but can affect other joints as well.

It sounds like either gout, pseudogout (which involves calcium crystals instead of urate crystals) or simply osteoarthritis.

I would talk with your doctor, simple X Rays of the joint are usually the first step. If you happen to come in during an attack and there is a joint effusion (excess fluid in the joint) then it can be tapped with a needle to look for crystals and try to make the diagnosis. If it is osteoarthritis then you can often see signs on the X Rays.

Hope that helps.