Overview
A healthcare provider will diagnose pseudogout with a physical exam and some tests. Your provider will examine your joints and ask about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Tell your provider:
- When you first noticed symptoms.
- If the symptoms seem to come and go.
- If any activities or times of day seem to make the symptoms worse (or better).
Your provider may do a joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) to confirm that you have extra CPP crystals in your joint fluid. They’ll insert a needle into your joint, withdraw some fluid and send the sample to a lab. A lab technician will look at the sample of your joint fluid using a microscope. Finding excess CPP crystals in your joint fluid after an aspiration is usually the best way to confirm pseudogout.
A joint aspiration can hurt, especially if you’re experiencing severe symptoms in that joint. Your provider can give you numbing medication so you feel less pain during the aspiration.
Your provider may also use imaging tests to look for chondrocalcinosis (signs of CPP buildup). Your provider might take pictures of your joints and the tissue around them with:
- X-rays.
- CT scan (computed tomography scan).
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
- Ultrasound.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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