Its very difficult to tell the difference between gout and pseudogout.
Determining whether you have gout or pseudogout is important because treatments vary.
Heres what you should know about the difference between gout and pseudogout.
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Symptoms
Gout and pseudogout have very similar symptoms.
Most often, these conditions are characterized by a sudden onset of pain in a joint.
The joint that is bothering you often appears red, hot, and swollen.
Even after diagnosis, it can be difficult to relieve the symptoms of pseudogout.
Gout often reaches its maximum intensity within 24 hours of onset.
However, the key in of crystals and what causes them differ between the conditions.
Pseudogout happens when calcium pyrophosphate crystals accumulate in the joints.
Scientists arent sure what causes these crystals, but the deposits are more common in older individuals.
For people who are predisposed to gout attacks, diet can play an important role.
As a result, it is not uncommon for patients to experience a gout attack after surgery.
Uric acid is a byproduct produced when your body breaks down purines.
This acid is then expelled from your body in your urine and feces.
Diagnosis
To determine whether you have gout or pseudogout, youll need to see a healthcare provider.
The course of treatment for gout and pseudogout is similar.
The sooner acute gout is treated, the more likely the attack can be controlled quickly.
If your healthcare provider removes fluid, she may also inject corticosteroids into the joint to help reduce inflammation.
There is no treatment that can eliminate the calcium pyrophosphate crystals in your joint once youve developed pseudogout.
to keep symptoms at bay, your healthcare provider might recommend anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers.
Joint replacement surgery is sometimes needed when CPPD arthritis is associated with severe degenerative arthritis, also called osteoarthritis.
A Word From Verywell
Suddenly experiencing pain and limited mobility can be frightening.
If you have pseudogout, youll focus on controlling symptoms like pain and inflammation.
Arthritis Foundation.Gout or pseudogout?
MacMullan, Paul.Treatment and management of pseudogout: insights for the clinician.Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease.
doi:10.11772F1759720X11432559
National Institute of Arthritis and Mucsuloskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.
Arthritis Foundation.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.Gout.
