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Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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In this Article

• Pseudogout facts
• What is pseudogout?
• What are causes of pseudogout?
• What are risk factors for pseudogout?
• What are pseudogout symptoms and signs?
• How does a doctor diagnose pseudogout?
• What are treatments for pseudogout?
• What other conditions can accompany pseudogout?
• Are there special circumstances that can promote attacks of pseudogout?
• What are complications of pseudogout?
• What is the prognosis (outlook) of pseudogout?
• Can pseudogout be prevented?
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Pseudogout Index

Arthritis attacks of pseudogout can be precipitated by dehydration and not infrequently follow surgical procedures in elderly patients.

Pseudogout can be complicated by difficulty in walking and injury to the cartilage and bone of affected joints.

The outlook of pseudogout is generally very good. Aggressive treatment of the inflammation can lead to complete resolution of the inflammation, pain, tenderness, and loss of joint function. While this can last for weeks, the inflammation of resolves within days with proper treatment.

Recurrent attacks of pseudogout and chronic joint inflammation can lead to injury to the affected cartilage and bone.

Patients with known pseudogout should stay well hydrated before and after operations to minimize the risk of attacks of pseudogout. Resting the joints may help during a flare-up.

REFERENCES:

American College of Rheumatology National Meeting, 2011.

Fauci, A.S., and C.A. Langford. Harrison's Rheumatology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing, 2006.

Koopman, William, et al., eds. Clinical Primer of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.

Ruddy, Shaun, et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.