Symptoms. Pseudogout

Symptoms of pseudogout

Symptoms of pseudogout most often affect the knees. However, in some people, the ankles and wrists are also affected. Flare-ups of the condition tend to be intermittent, and during an episode of acute pseudogout, symptoms typically include:

• Joints that are swollen
• Increased warmth in affected joints
• Extreme pain in the affected joints

Pseudogout: When to contact your healthcare provider

If you suddenly experience severe pain and swelling in one or more of your joints, call your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment. If your pain and joint swelling are accompanied by a fever or shaking chills, seek medical treatment right away.

Pseudogout diagnosis 

The signs and symptoms of pseudogout are similar to other types of arthritis, such as gout, so blood tests and other studies are often needed to ensure an accurate pseudogout diagnosis.

Laboratory tests and studies used in the diagnosis of pseudogout 

• Blood tests can evaluate the functioning of the parathyroid and thyroid glands and check for mineral levels that might contribute to pseudogout when out of balance.
• Joint aspiration tests a sample of the fluid around the swollen joint for the presence of microscopic crystals and determines the composition of the crystals.
• Imaging studies typically include X-rays. Bones show up on X-rays, as well as deposits of crystals in the cartilage of joints. Often, joint damage due to pseudogout or other forms of arthritis is detected by X-rays.

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