It results fromcalcium pyrophosphatecrystals forming and building up in the joints and nearby tissues.
Pseudogout might be confused with other types of arthritis that causeinflammation.
This article will cover pseudogout signs and symptoms, causes of flares, diagnosis, and more.
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Pseudogout causes inflammation with varying severities.
Fever might also be present during these episodes.
Chronic pseudogout causes inflammation in several joints at once.
RA is anautoimmune arthritisthat causes inflammation of thesynovial linings of joints, leading to severe joint destruction.
OA is a degenerative disease that comes with age and wear and tear of the joints.
Severe OA leads to extensive joint damage, pain, and reduced range of motion.
What causes pseudogout is unknown but seems more common in older adults, mainly people assigned male at birth.
CPP crystals can sometimes exist without causing any joint problems.
Symptoms will occur when the crystals are released from cartilage tissues into nearby joints.
Stress, illness, injury, or surgery might trigger a pseudogout episode.
Flares may also occur with any triggering event.
In most instances, pseudogout attacks are self-limiting and last a few days to a few weeks.
Previous trauma is also a risk factor for pseudogout, especially in the meniscus of the knee.
It may also occur following surgery and other bone, joint, and tissue injuries.
It controls cell proteins that help transport pyrophosphate out of the body.
A gene mutation causes CPP crystals to stay in the body and reach the joints.
Diet typically does not affect the onset or development of pseudogout.
It is also not considered a trigger for flare-ups of the condition.
The sooner you see a medical provider, the better your care will be.
You should see arheumatologistif you are experiencing ongoing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
A rheumatologist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.
If healthcare providers suspect pseudogout, they will:
Your healthcare provider may also perform ajoint aspirationprocedure.
Synovial fluid aspiration and crystal analysis are considered the joint standard for diagnosing pseudogout.
Blood and urine tests might be done to help your healthcare provider come up with a diagnosis.
But, these tests are typically done to rule out other conditions, including RA.
Joint drainage may relieve pain and pressure on a pseudogout-affected joint.
If none of these medicines work, joint damage may occur.
In these cases, surgery can repair and replace damaged joints.
How to Manage Pseudogout Flares
you could manage a pseudogout flare at home.
This includes over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, to help manage pain and reduce inflammation.
They can prescribe a more potent NSAID or a corticosteroid to help manage symptoms.
You should also inform a healthcare provider if you experience frequent or severe flares.
They can prescribe medications to prevent crystal build-up or control underlying processes that might lead to inflammation.
It is unknown what causes it, but the risk for the condition increases with age.
Pseudogout is characterized by periods of flare-ups, when symptoms worsen.
Symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, and swelling in the affected joints.
The most commonly affected joints are the knees and wrists, but the condition can affect any joint.
The condition is classified by its severity and the number of joints affected.
Contact a healthcare provider if you suspect you might have pseudogout.
Treatment is vital to avoiding long-term damage to the joints.
Let your healthcare provider know about severe and frequent flare-ups.
They can reassess you and provide additional treatments to help.
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