Pseudogout

Overview

Pseudogout is a kind of arthritis marked by sudden, painful, stiffness, redness, warmth, and swelling in one or more joints. Episodes might last a few days or several weeks. Normally, it only affects one joint at a time, but occasionally, it could affect numerous joints at once. It is a condition that frequently impacts the knees and wrists. 

CPPD, or calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, is the medical name for pseudogout. The condition is often referred to as pseudogout due to its resemblance to gout. Crystal deposits develop in a joint in both gout and pseudogout, though the kind of crystals is different in each disease. Some CPPD symptoms may resemble rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis symptoms. 

The reason why crystals accumulate in joints and lead to pseudogout is unknown, however the risk rises with age. Inflammation and discomfort can both be reduced by treatments. 

Symptoms

The knee or wrist is frequently affected by pseudogout. Less frequently, it might affect the ankles, toes, knuckles, hips, shoulders, and elbows. In rare instances, pseudogout may extend to the neck, resulting in neck discomfort, shoulder pain, headaches, and, in certain cases, fevers.

The affected joints are often swollen, warm, and extremely painful during a pseudogout attack. 

If someone has sudden, severe joint pain and swelling, it is advised to seek medical assistance.

Causes

The cause of this condition is the abnormal formation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals in the joint fluid (synovial fluid) or cartilage. This may result in an attack of arthritis.

It is frequently unknown what causes abnormal CPPD crystal deposition in cartilage. Some underlying diseases, such as joint injury, hyperparathyroidism, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatasia, hypothyroidism, and hemochromatosis, can cause CPPD crystals to appear. It’s also possible that the CPPD crystals formation is an inherited characteristic.

As people get older, these crystals occur in over half of the population who are above 85. However, the majority of those with these crystal deposits never have pseudogout. Why some people get symptoms while others do not is still unclear. 

Risk factors

The following factors can increase the chance of developing pseudogout:

• Age: Age increases the possibility of developing pseudogout. As people become older, it happens more frequently and typically affects persons over 60. Young patients with CPPD are uncommon. 
• Joint trauma: Pseudogout is more likely to occur in a joint after trauma, such as a severe injury or surgery. 
• Genetic disorder: Pseudogout is hereditarily more likely to occur in certain families than others. Pseudogout usually appears in these individuals while they are younger. 
• Mineral imbalances: People who have too little magnesium or too much calcium or iron in their blood are more likely to develop pseudogout.
• Other medical conditions: Pseudogout has also been connected to both an overactive parathyroid gland and underactive thyroid gland. Degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis patients frequently experience the problem as well. In some circumstances, CPPD may actually be the cause of “attacks” of osteoarthritis characterized by pain, swelling, and redness of the joint.