Patient Education
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Information
- The risk of CPPD greatly increases with age, but it can occur in young people, too.
- Proper diagnosis depends on detecting calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the fluid of an affected joint.
- CPPD may be hard to diagnose because the joint pain and other symptoms can mimic gout and other types of arthritis.
- Diagnosis is confirmed by using a microscope to see small calcium pyrophosphate crystals in joint fluid.
- Anti-inflammatory medications reduce pain and swelling and can prevent or help relieve symptoms of CPPD, but there is no way to get rid of the crystals.
Joint problems caused by crystals of a calcium salt called pyrophosphate may be one of the most misunderstood forms of arthritis. Joint problems seen with these crystals often are mistaken for gout and other conditions. Proper diagnosis (detection) is important. Untreated calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) may lead to severe, painful attacks or chronic (long-term) pain and inflammation. Over time, joints may degenerate, or break down, resulting in long-term disability. Some treatment options for the arthritis pain do exist, but these do not treat the underlying crystal deposits. Some of the underlying causes are treatable and should be evaluated in people with CPPD (see causes below).
Source: American College of Rheumatology
See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Calcium-Pyrophosphate-Deposition-CPPD#sthash.ZlJAAxEV.dpuf
Information
- Carpal tunnel syndrome may interfere with hand strength and sensation, and cause a decrease in hand function.
- Other conditions, such as arthritis, tendonitis and other nerve involvement, need to be ruled out before diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Physicians can diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome by history of the symptoms, physical examination and electrical testing, and in some cases by use of ultrasound or MRI.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated effectively with medications, splinting, steroid injections in the wrist and/or surgery.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is possibly the most common nerve disorder experienced today. It affects 4 – 10 million Americans and is usually very treatable. Middle-aged to older individuals are more likely to develop the syndrome than younger persons, and females three times more frequently than males.
Carpal tunnel syndrome disables a key nerve, resulting in symptoms ranging from mild occasional numbness to hand weakness, loss of feeling and loss of hand function. The main symptom is numbness of the fingers. Given this widespread familiarity, people often attribute any discomfort or pain in the hand or wrist to carpal tunnel syndrome. However, there are many other conditions which can cause similar complaints. It is important to know the difference.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
Information
- The major symptoms include fever; hive-like rash; joint pain and swelling; red eyes; and symptoms of the nervous system, including headaches and deafness.
- CAPS are not contagious.
- Treatments that block interleukin-1, an important molecule involved in the inflammatory process, are very effective.
- To prevent permanent damage, treatment needs to be started early in life.
Cryopyrin-Associated Autoinflammatory Syndromes (CAPS) consist of three very rare diseases related to a defect in the same protein: cryopyrin. These diseases differ in the systems involved and in the severity of the disease. All the CAPS are very rare, found in about one in 360,000 to 1,000,000 people. Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome is more common in the Unites States, and Muckle-Wells syndrome is more common in Europe. NOMID, the least common disease, is present around the world, and usually starts shortly after birth. Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome usually starts in the first year of life. Muckle-Wells syndrome may start later. Males and females are both affected, and all ethnic groups can be affected.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
