Pseudogout, also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease, is inflammatory arthritis that often occurs in men. This condition can cause severe pain, joint stiffness, and inflammation that can last for months or even years. Pseudogout is similar to gout, which is caused by uric acid crystals forming in the joints.
However, the type of crystals that form in pseudogout is not uric acid crystals; instead, the type consists of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPDPH). The crystals in pseudogout are much smaller than those formed in gout and are less likely to cause damage to the joints. Many people with pseudogout do not experience any symptoms at all.
Read on to know what pseudogout is, and about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What Is Pseudogout?
Pseudogout is an inflammatory arthritis condition characterized by the formation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPDPH) crystals in the joints. These crystals can trigger joint inflammation and pain, which is why this condition is also called “calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.”
How Does Pseudogout Develop?
In pseudogout, crystals of CPDPH form when uric acid is not properly metabolized by the body. When uric acid levels are high, they can accumulate in the body and form crystals in the joints. This can cause severe inflammation in the joint tissues and trigger this painful condition.
This condition becomes more common as people age, which may be because older people often have higher uric acid levels due to reduced kidney function and other health conditions such as diabetes. People over the age of 85 are also much more likely to develop pseudogout than are younger adults.
Risk Factors
Here are some of the risk factors that are linked to the development of pseudogout:
- Uric acid levels in the body
- Joint trauma and rheumatoid arthritis presence
- Old age
- Strong family history of the condition
- Thyroid disease
Symptoms
When living with pseudogout, patients may experience pain and swelling in the joints, as well as stiffness and a feeling of warmth in the affected areas. Here are some of the symptoms that patients with pseudogout may experience in the affected areas:
- Pain in the knees, ankles, or wrists
- Swelling in the joints
- Warmth and redness around the joints
Treatments
There are several treatments that can help relieve symptoms of pseudogout. The treatment is similar to that of other arthritis conditions, which means that medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs and NSAIDs may be prescribed to manage this condition.
Uric acid–lowering drugs, such as allopurinol and febuxostat, are not used to manage this condition long term because of their potential to increase the risk of kidney damage, but these medications can help reduce the symptoms in as little as 24 hours. If the condition persists for more than this period, then alternative medicines or treatments should be administered to manage the symptoms.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned herein and want to find an orthopedic hand specialist who can diagnose your condition, contact the professionals at Houston Physicians’ Hospital who can help.
Our orthopedic hand specialists can assess your condition and create a treatment plan based upon a thorough diagnosis. We also treat neck pain, back pain, Hip Joint Pain Webster TX, and more. Contact us for more information.