Pseudogout

Pseudogout is one the types of arthritis. The symptoms includes sudden painful swelling in joints, swollen joint warm to touch, red/purple skin around the joint, severe tenderness around the affected joint, the slightest touch may also bring extreme pain. It mostly affects the knee or the wrist. The most commonly affected joint is the knee. The Crystal deposits within a joint cause both conditions (Gout & Pseudogout), although the type of crystal differs for each condition. The risk increases with age. The treatment can help relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation.

The diagnosis is done by taking a fluid from a joint and is examined under polarizing microscope. The calcium pyrophosphate crystals are clearly identified by their characteristic shape and color. The pseudogout is common in older adults. Treatment is not advised if the condition is not causing pain because any medication that could reduce the inflammation of pseudogout bears a risk of causing organ damage. The treatment includes intra-articular corticosteroid injection, systemic corticosteroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.