What is Chondrocalcinosis?

Chondrocalcinosis 2 (CCAL2) is a genetic type of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD), a metabolic disorder characterized by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals (CPPD) in joint cartilage and eventual damage to affected joints.

What is the best treatment for chondrocalcinosis?

Healthcare providers usually recommend OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesic pain relievers, like acetaminophen, to manage symptoms of chondrocalcinosis attacks.

What is the cause of chondrocalcinosis?

What are the causes of chondrocalcinosis? Injuries that deteriorate collagen and other cartilage proteins, such as repetitive micro trauma can lead to excess calcium crystal deposition. Older people are those who have a genetic predisposition for developing the condition are more at risk.

Is chondrocalcinosis serious?

Chondrocalcinosis 2 is a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPP) crystals in and around the joints. Signs and symptoms of the disease include chronic joint pain or sudden, recurrent episodes of pain, as well as stiffness or swelling of the joints.

Is chondrocalcinosis a form of arthritis?

CPDD is a common, often un-recognized form of acute and chronic arthritis. It usually affects patients over age 60 [1,2], and occurs as a result of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal deposition in articular hyaline and fibro-cartilage. Radiographically, CPP crystal deposition is seen as chondrocalcinosis (Figs.

Chondrocalcinosis, Tumoral Calcinosis, - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

How is chondrocalcinosis of the knee treated?

Colchicine is usually prescribed for CPPD attacks. At low doses, it can be prescribed for a longer period of time to reduce the risk of recurrent attacks of CPPD. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially if colchicine cannot be prescribed, are used to treat CPPD attacks.

What does chondrocalcinosis of the knee mean?

Chondrocalcinosis 2 (CCAL2) is a genetic type of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD), a metabolic disorder characterized by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals (CPPD) in joint cartilage and eventual damage to affected joints.

Is Chondrocalcinosis reversible?

CPPD crystal deposition cannot be reversed. If CPPD results from underlying metabolic abnormalities (hyperparathyroidism, hemochromatosis, hypophosphatasia, or hypomagnesemia), these can be treated directly. Treatment is similar to the treatment of gout.

Is Chondrocalcinosis a osteoarthritis?

Chondrocalcinosis is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) (1) and several studies have found an association between the presence of CPP crystals in synovial fluid and radiographic severity of OA (2, 3).

How do I get rid of calcium deposits?

With Vinegar: Wrap a bag or cloth covered in vinegar around your faucet. Keep it there for several hours and wipe down the surface when you're done. Vinegar and baking soda can also be combined to make a paste for scrubbing calcium deposits.

What foods should be avoided with pseudogout?

In the case of gout and pseudogout which are affected by the metabolic factor of the body, it is best to avoid high-purine food like red meat and shellfish. Drinking beer and soda can also elevate the level of uric acid which may worsen the pain and discomfort in joints.

How is pseudogout of the knee treated?

Joint drainage

To relieve pain and pressure in an affected joint, your doctor inserts a needle and removes some of the joint fluid, which 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.

How is CPPD diagnosed?

Joint fluid analysis

A well-trained expert can identify the calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals that cause pseudogout by their shape, color, and reaction to light. If CPP crystals are found in the fluid sample, then CPPD disease is confirmed and pseudogout may be considered as a diagnosis.

Can CPPD cause fatigue?

Patients may have prominent inflammatory symptoms of morning stiffness and fatigue, but fever is rare. Another form of CPPD arthritis occurs when multiple joints are affected but inflammatory symptoms (such as morning stiffness) and inflammatory signs (synovitis) are lacking.

What causes pseudogout flare ups?

Pseudogout develops when deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals build up in the cartilage (tissue that protects your bones) of a joint. The cause of this buildup is often unknown. The crystals are then released into the fluid in your joint. This causes joint pain and swelling.

Is CPPD a disability?

Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) benefits are designed to provide partial income replacement to eligible CPP contributors who are under age 65 with a severe and prolonged disability, as defined in the Canada Pension Plan legislation. There are two eligibility criteria for the CPPD program.

Which is worse gout or pseudogout?

Gout pain is known to be excruciating and tends to be more severe than pseudogout pain. A gout attack often strikes in the middle of the night. Pseudogout may flare up at any time of day. If left untreated, gout attack symptoms will usually go away within a few days or weeks.

Is exercise good for pseudogout?

Exercise can help keep your joints flexible and reduce pain. An occupational therapist can help you learn to do your daily activities when your joints are stiff or sore. Drink liquids as directed. Liquids such as water help prevent more calcium buildup in your joints.

Does cortisone help pseudogout?

Corticosteroids can be given orally, intravenously, or intra-articularly. Oral prednisone used for an acute attack of pseudogout is generally tapered over a 2-week period. Intra-articular corticosteroids (eg, methylprednisolone) are very effective for the treatment of acute pseudogout.

Does magnesium help pseudogout?

1998], magnesium supplementation has often been recommended as a safe prophylactic agent to decrease the frequency of acute attacks of pseudogout.

Does prednisone help pseudogout?

Prednisone can be given orally to abort an attack of pseudogout. It can be given intravenously if the patient cannot take it by mouth. Intra-articular corticosteroids are the first choice of therapy due to their excellent safety profile.

Can pseudogout affect the spine?

While pseudogout commonly affects the knees, wrists, shoulders, and hips, it has also been documented to involve the spine, most often the cervical spine, followed by the lumbar spine, and rarely the thoracic spine.

What foods to avoid if you have calcium deposits?

What foods reduce calcification?

Fruits And Vegetables With Higher Potassium Levels May Help Reduce Arterial Sclerosis And Calcification. Scientists publishing a new study in the journal JCI Insight have concluded that high-potassium foods such as avocados and bananas protect the arteries against hardening or calcification.

How do you dissolve calcium deposits naturally?

Diet. Many advocates of natural healing suggest lowering your calcium intake and avoiding foods such as dairy products can help. Apple cider vinegar. Some believe that drinking 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in 8 ounces of water every day will help break down calcium deposits.