Pseudo Gout
The name pseudo gout makes it sound as if it is a fake disease but the pain felt is all too real! The medical condition often suddenly strikes the knee joint, then may move to the ankles or wrists. It causes painful inflammation in the affected joints and can possibly destroy cartilage. Attacks may last for hours, days, or weeks, or longer with the most severe phase lasting 12 to 36 hours.
Causes Pseudo gout is a recognized form of arthritis. As it is with gout, the pain is caused by crystals deposited in the joint spaces. However, in pseudo the crystals are formed from calcium pyrophosphate rather than uric acid. These calcium crystals can be deposited into the cartilage. This medical condition can be brought on by surgery, trauma, or stress, but not diet. Although calcium is contained in the crystals, eating a lot of dairy products and drinking milk does not seem to have any correlation for developing this specific disorder.
Signs The inflammation may flare up in more than one joint at a time. However, in that case, the condition is generally milder but longer lasting. At times, your discomfort increases after physical activity. Typically, sufferers are around 65 years old. It rarely appears in anyone that is less than 30. Another difference is it affects males and females equally, as where common gout mostly afflicts the male population. One of the first signs of pseudo gout is that you may notice one of your knees seems larger and puffier than the other knee. Symptoms
The affected joint will continue to painfully swell and become more difficult to move. There may or not be discoloration or warmth felt to the touch. As your condition worsens, swelling in the affected areas continues. As the crystals form, joints feel somewhat weakened and lose flexibility. You may experience difficulty standing up and sitting down due. Occasionally, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may precede the onset of pseudo. Where gout usually affects the big toe, pseudo typically afflicts the knee joint. Additionally, both conditions can affect the same joint!
Treatment Your doctor will order blood tests and possibly x-rays to determine if you suffer from pseudo gout. Drawing fluid from the affected joint is often included in the medical treatment to remove the crystals. Cortisone shots may be injected into the afflicted joints for relief from pain and swelling. Daily medications may be prescribed for patients who suffer a frequent attack. NSAIDs such as Advil, Aleve, or Motrin are generally prescribed for pain management and reduce inflammation. Splits, ice packs, and rest are recommended during acute attacks to ease the pain and protect the joints. Mild exercise can help restore full motion and rebuild muscle strength after very bad attacks. In rare cases, surgery can replace badly damaged joints that are unstable or extremely painful.
Preventions Dehydration can often be a contributing factor in developing pseudo gout. Make certain you stay hydrated, especially when ill or after having surgery. Pseudo crystals can wear away at cartilage, increasing the possibility of infection in the joint.
If you suspect or have been diagnosed with pseudo gout, report any discoloration, fever, or warmth to your care giver. With medical attention and weight loss if advised by your doctor, the condition can be reasonably controlled Go to Gout-Symptoms from Pseudo Gout |
