[ Post a Response | Hemochromatosis ]
Posted by Marie Warder on May 18, 2006, 11:56 pm, in reply to "Re: What is chrondrocalcinosis?" What Is It? - A condition that causes pain, redness, heat, and swelling in one or more joints. PLEASE NOTE, I am not a doctor! Nor do I claim to be an authority by by any means!
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Chondrocalcinosis, also known as ‘Pseudogout’ and sometimes ‘acute arthritis’, is caused by CPPD crystal-induced inflammation, and is nearly as common as “real” gout, which is caused by uric acid crystals. Like it, it causes what Sam has described as ‘excruciating’ pain, when it flares up. (CPP stands for ‘Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystals, and another name for Chondrocalcinosis or Pseudo Gout is "Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystal Deposition Disease".)
What Causes It? - Deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in a joint, which weaken the cartilage and cause it to break down more easily. The presence of these tiny CPPD crystals in the joints, and the body's reaction to these crystals, creates often agonizing inflammation as ‘A’ cells rush to attack the crystals. (A fruitless exercise, as the crystals are indestructible, and during one of the attempted ‘A’ cell rescue operations, they lose the battle – during which the patient’s immune system is temporarily compromised, as a result. Over the years I have learned that that even some Heterozygotes can be afflicted, for I have known some with knees so swollen that the fluid has had to be aspirated. Physicians do not readily prescribe oral cortisone, but an injection in an afflicted joint can do wonders.
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