Definition
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPPD) is a buildup of calcium crystals in the joints. This results in inflammation in the joints.
Arthritis of the Knee |
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Risk Factors
This problem is more common in people who are over 50 years of age.
Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Prior joint damage
- Osteoarthritis
- Having other family members with this disease
- Poor knee alignment early in life.
- Hormonal and metabolism problems, such as:
- Hemochromatosis —excess iron storage
- Overactive parathyroid glands
- Hypercalcemia —excess calcium in the blood
Symptoms
Most people do not have symptoms. Those who do may have pain in the knee, wrist, hand, pelvis, or hip. It may get worse over a 6 to 24 hour span. Symptoms may also flare up and then go away for a time before returning.
Problems may be:
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness and swelling
- Redness over the joint
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
Your blood may be tested.
A needle may be used to remove and test a sample of the fluid in a joint. This can be done with a synovial fluid analysis.
Images may be needed. This can be done with:
Treatment
There is no cure. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms during flare-ups. Choices are:
- Supportive care, such as cold compresses and resting the joint
- Medicines to ease pain and swelling, such as:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroids
- Gout medicines like colchicine that change the way the body reacts to the crystals
People who are not helped by these methods may need arthrocentesis. It uses a needle to remove excess fluid from a joint.
RESOURCES
American College of Rheumatology http://www.rheumatology.org
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases http://www.niams.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
The Arthritis Society http://www.arthritis.ca
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
References
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD). American College of Rheumatology website. Available at: https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Calcium-Pyrophosphate-Deposition-CPPD. Accessed February 16, 2021.
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/calcium-pyrophosphate-dihydrate-deposition-disease. Accessed February 16, 2021.
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) (Pseudogout). The Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/calcium-pyrophosphate-deposition-disease-cppd. Accessed February 16, 2021.
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPPD, or Pseudogout). Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/orthopaedics-rheumatology/diseases-conditions/hic-pseudogout. Accessed February 16, 2021.
Rosenthal AK, Ryan LM. Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease. N Engl J Med. 2016 Jun 30;374(26):2575-2584.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
- Review Date: 12/2020
- Update Date: 02/16/2021