Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsWhat Causes CPPD?DiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
What Causes CPPD?
Diagnosis
Treatment
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This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.
Symptoms of Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
With CPPD, the progressive formation of calcium in the joints can trigger occasional flare-ups ofinflammatory arthritis symptomsincluding:
Not everyone who develops CPPD crystal will experience symptoms. Of the 25% who do, most will have painful episodes involving thekneesor experience pain and inflammation of theankles,elbows,hands,wrists, orshoulders.CPPD attacks can last from a few days to several weeks.
Around 10% of people who have CPPD will develop a chronic rheumatoid arthritis-like condition involving peripheral joints and affecting the same joints on different sides of the body, such as the wrists or knees.
It is not known what causes the abnormal deposits of calcium crystals in joints.
Factors that may play a role in the development of CPPD include:
How Is CPPD Diagnosed?
The diagnosis will usually involve the aspiration of fluid from the affected joint and analysis of the crystalline deposits in the lab.
Your healthcare provider may also order imaging tests such as an ultrasound, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to help identify calcified masses around the joint.
What Is the Best Treatment for CPPD?
Unlike gout, in which the uric acid crystals can be dissolved with medications, the crystals involved in CPPD are insoluble (meaning they are unable to be dissolved).
Treatment, therefore, is focused on alleviation of symptoms and avoidance of future attacks.
Pharmaceutical options include:
Surgery may be considered to remove a calcified mass from a joint, although it is still considered experimental, with limited data to support its use.
Summary
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, also known as pseudogout, is a condition in which calcium crystals form in joints. The symptoms of CPPD are similar to other forms of arthritis. CPPD is diagnosed through imaging and aspirating fluid from the joint to check for calcium crystals. There is no cure, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and avoiding future flare-ups.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Foundation.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.Cowley S, McCarthy G.Diagnosis and Treatment of Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) Disease: A Review. Open Access Rheumatol. 2023 Mar 22;15:33-41. doi: 10.2147/OARRR.S389664UpToDate.Patient education: calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (beyond basics).American College of Rheumatology.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.Additional ReadingAmerican College of Rheumatology. “Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD).” Atlanta, Georgia; updated March 2017.Schlee, S.; Bollheimer, L.; Bersch, T. et al. “Crystal Arthritides: Gout and Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis/Part 1: Epidemiology and Pathophysiology.“Z Gerontol Geriatr.2017. DOI:10.1007/s00391-017-1197-3.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Foundation.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.Cowley S, McCarthy G.Diagnosis and Treatment of Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) Disease: A Review. Open Access Rheumatol. 2023 Mar 22;15:33-41. doi: 10.2147/OARRR.S389664UpToDate.Patient education: calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (beyond basics).American College of Rheumatology.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.Additional ReadingAmerican College of Rheumatology. “Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD).” Atlanta, Georgia; updated March 2017.Schlee, S.; Bollheimer, L.; Bersch, T. et al. “Crystal Arthritides: Gout and Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis/Part 1: Epidemiology and Pathophysiology.“Z Gerontol Geriatr.2017. DOI:10.1007/s00391-017-1197-3.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Arthritis Foundation.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.Cowley S, McCarthy G.Diagnosis and Treatment of Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) Disease: A Review. Open Access Rheumatol. 2023 Mar 22;15:33-41. doi: 10.2147/OARRR.S389664UpToDate.Patient education: calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (beyond basics).American College of Rheumatology.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.
Arthritis Foundation.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.
Cowley S, McCarthy G.Diagnosis and Treatment of Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) Disease: A Review. Open Access Rheumatol. 2023 Mar 22;15:33-41. doi: 10.2147/OARRR.S389664
UpToDate.Patient education: calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (beyond basics).
American College of Rheumatology.Calcium pyrophosphate deposition.
American College of Rheumatology. “Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD).” Atlanta, Georgia; updated March 2017.Schlee, S.; Bollheimer, L.; Bersch, T. et al. “Crystal Arthritides: Gout and Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis/Part 1: Epidemiology and Pathophysiology.“Z Gerontol Geriatr.2017. DOI:10.1007/s00391-017-1197-3.
American College of Rheumatology. “Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD).” Atlanta, Georgia; updated March 2017.
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