Calcium Pyrophosphate ArthritisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis
View Main Condition: Arthritis
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) arthritis is a joint disease that can cause attacks of arthritis. Like gout, crystals form in the joints. But in this kind of arthritis, the crystals are not formed from uric acid.
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease; CPPD disease; Acute/chronic CPPD arthritis; Pseudogout; Pyrophosphate arthropathy; Chondrocalcinosis
Deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) causes this form of arthritis. The buildup of this chemical forms crystals in the cartilage of joints. This leads to attacks of joint swelling and pain most often in the knees, wrists, ankles, and shoulders. Other joints can be affected as well. In contrast to gout, the metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the big toe is not often affected.
Among older adults, CPPD is a common cause of sudden (acute) arthritis in one joint. The attack may be caused by:
- Injury to the joint
- Medical stress
CPPD arthritis mainly affects the elderly because joint degeneration and osteoarthritis increases with age. Such joint damage increases the tendency of CPPD deposition. However, CPPD arthritis is also more common in people with:
- Hemochromatosis
- Parathyroid gland disease
- Dialysis-dependent renal failure
In most cases, CPPD deposits do not cause any symptoms. Instead, x-rays of affected joints such as knees show characteristic deposits of calcium. This is called chondrocalcinosis.
Some people with chronic CPPD deposits in large joints may have the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Redness
Attacks of joint pain can last for months. There may be no symptoms between attacks.
In some people CPPD arthritis causes severe damage to a joint.
CPPD arthritis can also occur in the upper and lower spine. Pressure on spinal nerves may cause pain in the arms or legs.
Because the symptoms are similar, CPPD arthritis can be confused with:
- Gouty arthritis (gout)
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment may involve removing fluid to relieve pressure in the joint. A needle is placed into the joint and fluid is removed. Some common treatment options are:
- Steroid injections to treat severely swollen joints
- Oral steroids to treat multiple swollen joints
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) to ease the pain
- Colchicine to treat attacks of CPPD arthritis
- For chronic CPPD arthritis in multiple joints, methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine may be helpful
Brigham And Women's Hospital, Orthopaedic And Arthritis Center
Sara Tedeschi is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Tedeschi is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis. She is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis, Arthritis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), and Temporal Arteritis. Dr. Tedeschi is board certified in Rheumatology.
Avera Medical Group Rheumatology — 69th & Louise
Dr. King is a rheumatologist at Avera Medical Group Rheumatology Sioux Falls. Dr. King is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis. She is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), and Juvenile Temporal Arteritis. Dr. King is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine; American Board Of Internal Medicine-Rheumatology; American Osteopathic Board Of Internal Medicine.
Georgios Filippou practices practicing medicine in Milan, Italy. Mr. Filippou is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis, Chondrocalcinosis 2, Tenosynovitis, Arthritis, and Knee Replacement.
Most people do well with treatment to reduce the acute joint pain. A medicine such as colchicine may help prevent repeat attacks. There is no treatment to remove the CPPD crystals.
Permanent joint damage can occur without treatment.
Contact your provider if you have attacks of joint swelling and joint pain.
There is no known way to prevent this disorder. However, treating other problems that may cause CPPD arthritis may make the condition less severe.
Regular follow-up visits may help prevent permanent damage of the affected joints.
Summary: This study at IRCCS Galeazzi - Sant'Ambrogio Hospital involves patients with gout, CPPD, and osteoarthritis as a control group. Patients will receive routine care with regular clinical, laboratory, and imaging assessments every six months, alongside urgent visits as needed. The study aims to understand crystal deposits in joints and blood vessels and monitor their progression over time, assessing ...
Summary: Patients with clinically and genetically confirmed Gitelman Syndrome are screened for CPPD, and the clinical and radiographic manifestations are collected and analyzed.
Published Date: January 16, 2026
Published By: Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Edwards NL. Crystal deposition diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 252.
Rosenthal AK, Tedeschi SK, Mccarthy GM, Cowley S. Calcium crystal disease: calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and basic calcium phosphate-associated syndromes. In: Firestein GS, McInnes IB, Koretzky GA, Mikuls TR, Neogi T, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 98.