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Gout is a type of arthritis in which small crystals form inside and around the joints. It causes sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling.

However, pseudogout is a form of arthritis that causes pain, stiffness, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling in one or more of your joints - commonly the knee or wrist but it can include the hips, shoulders and ankles.

What causes pseudo gout?

The condition occurs as a result of the abnormal formation of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals in the cartilage which is followed by the release of crystals in to the joint fluid.

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Arthritis Research UK said: When CPP crystals shed into the joint cavity this is called acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) arthritis.

The crystals cause inflammation in the lining of the joint, resulting in pain and swelling in the joint.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pseudo gout are similar to gout, and are also similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

The symptoms can include swollen joints which are warm to the touch, red or purple skin around the joint or affected area, tender skin - which can cause extreme pain if it is touched and sudden intense joint pain.

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Who is affected?

Arthritis Research UK said: Acute CPP crystal arthritis usually affects people in late middle-age or the elderly, and its rare if youre under the age of 60.

Men and women are equally affected. An attack of acute CPP crystal arthritis can happen in a joint thats already affected by osteoarthritis.

Attacks of pseudo gout can last between five days and up to two weeks unless it is treated.

Treatment

The disease, unlike gout, is not linked to diet.

Gout is caused by too much uric acid or your kidneys don't filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny sharp crystals to form in and around joints. These crystals can cause the joint to become inflamed (red and swollen) and painful.

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Pseudogout can be treated with drugs - non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - such as ibuprofen.

Doctors can also take fluid out of the joints to treat the disease.

This process is called aspiration and can reduce the high pressure in a joint which causes the pain.

Arthritis Research UK recommend people get the joint and muscles moving following an attack of pseudo gout and helps tissue return to normal.

Read more here:
Painful joints could indicate THIS form of arthritis - similar to gout - Express.co.uk

This entry was posted on February 27, 2017 at 5:43 pm and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |