Thanks for answering, Fernando. The bone feels as though it has been growing thicker for a few years, and movement in the finger has got worse and worse (although I can still move it - it is just 'stiff'). The lesions have only just appeared, and something is inside them, but to me, it doesn't feel like liquid. I wouldn't call it 'painful', but it feels 'sharp' (crystals?), and that's why I wondered if it was gout. I do enjoy drinking beer. I take no medicines and I have no diseases and I don't work with chemicals I just assumed it was some kind of arthritis before the lesions developed. Some of my other fingers feel as though they are heading in the same direction as this one (less movement, and same 'sharp' sensation when I touch the joint) I do appreciate your advice. Thanks!

It does sound like gout according to what you're telling me and the chronic evolution. The skin lesions could be the crystals breaking through the skin. Either way, you need to have a it checked to confirm the diagnosis. Alcoho and fructose is going to be the biggest factor if it is gout, but it doesn't necessarily have to be uric acid that is the culprit, it could also be oxalates. Do you have a history of eating high oxalate foods over the years like cacao, beans, spinach, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sweet potatoes, beets, green smoothies, dried fruits, chia, kiwi, grains, etc? I recommend reading Toxic Superfoods by Sally Norton if you want to learn more about oxalates.