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Pseudogout most commonly affects the knees. Less often, wrists and ankles are involved. During a pseudogout attack, the affected joints are usually:

• Swollen
• Warm
• Severely painful

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience sudden, intense joint pain and swelling.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
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Pseudogout has been linked to the presence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals within the affected joint. These crystals become more numerous as people age, appearing in nearly half the population older than 85. But most people who have these crystal deposits never develop pseudogout. It's still unclear why some people have symptoms and others don't.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
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Factors that can increase your risk of pseudogout include:

• Older age. The risk of developing pseudogout increases with age.
• Joint trauma. Trauma to a joint, such as a serious injury or surgery, increases your risk of pseudogout in that joint.
• Genetic disorder. In some families, a predisposition for developing pseudogout is hereditary. These people tend to develop pseudogout at younger ages.
• Mineral imbalances. The risk of pseudogout is higher for people who have excessive calcium or iron in their blood or too little magnesium.
• Other medical conditions. Pseudogout has also been linked to an underactive thyroid gland or an overactive parathyroid gland.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
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The crystal deposits associated with pseudogout can also cause joint damage, which can mimic the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

You'll probably first bring your symptoms to the attention of your family doctor. After an initial examination, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions (rheumatologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, as well as what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do
Before your appointment, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions:

• When did your symptoms begin?
• Have these symptoms ever occurred before?
• Does any activity or position make your joint feel better or worse?
• Have you ever injured this joint?
• Do you have any other medical conditions?
• Has anyone in your family had joint problems?
• What medicines or supplements do you take regularly?

What to expect from your doctor
A doctor who sees you for symptoms common to pseudogout may ask a number of questions, such as:

• What are your symptoms?
• What part or parts of your body are affected?
• Do your symptoms come and go?
• When symptoms occur, how long do they last?
• Have your symptoms gotten worse over time?
• Does anything seem to trigger your symptoms, such as certain foods or stress?
• Have you tried any treatments so far? Has anything helped?

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
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Pseudogout signs and symptoms can mimic those of gout and other types of arthritis, so lab and imaging tests are usually necessary to confirm a diagnosis.

Lab tests
Blood tests can check for problems with your thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as for a variety of mineral imbalances that have been linked to pseudogout. Your doctor may also use a needle to withdraw a sample of the fluid within your affected joint. This fluid can be tested for the presence of crystals.

Imaging tests
X-rays of your affected joint often can reveal evidence of joint damage, along with crystal deposits in the joint's cartilage.

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There's no cure for pseudogout, but a combination of treatments can help relieve pain and improve the joint's function.

Medications
If over-the-counter pain relievers aren't enough, your doctor may suggest:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Prescription strength NSAIDs include naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others) and indomethacin (Indocin). NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding and decreased kidney function, especially in older adults.
• Colchicine (Colcrys). Low-dose pills of this gout drug are also effective for pseudogout. If you have frequent episodes of pseudogout, your doctor may recommend that you take colchicine daily as a preventive measure.
• Corticosteroids. If you can't take NSAIDs or colchicine, your doctor may suggest taking corticosteroid pills, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation and terminate the attack. Long-term use of corticosteroids can cause bone weakening, cataracts, diabetes and weight gain.

Joint drainage
To relieve pain and pressure in an affected joint, your doctor inserts a needle and removes some of the joint fluid. This also helps remove some of the crystals from the joint. The doctor will then inject the joint with a numbing medication and a corticosteroid to decrease inflammation.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
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Home treatments may be useful during pseudogout flare-ups. Examples include:

• NSAIDs. Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve), often are helpful.
• Rest the joint. Try not to use the affected joint for a couple of days.
• Ice. Cold packs can help reduce the inflammation associated with flare-ups.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.