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Chondrocalcinosis

Peer reviewed by Dr Krishna Vakharia, MRCGPAuthored by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPOriginally published 24 Aug 2023

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

Chondrocalcinosis is very common but only tends to cause symptoms when it is caused by an underlying condition, such as osteoarthritis.

At a glance

  • Chondrocalcinosis means calcium deposits in joint cartilage.

  • It is a general term, with pseudogout being one possible cause.

  • Chondrocalcinosis itself often causes no symptoms and is found on X-rays.

  • Symptoms depend on the underlying cause, such as joint pain from osteoarthritis.

  • Causes can include joint injuries, other medical conditions, or a lack of magnesium.

  • Diagnosis involves imaging scans and tests to find the underlying cause.

  • Treatment focuses on managing the underlying condition and its symptoms.

This summary has been automatically generated from the article content to help readers quickly understand the key points.

In this article:

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What is chondrocalcinosis?

Chondrocalcinosis means the presence of calcium deposits in the cartilage of a joint. It was used to describe a condition called pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease, CPPD), but chondrocalcinosis is a more general term for calcium deposits and there are a number of other causes apart from pseudogout. For example, it may occur in severe osteoarthritis.

Chondrocalcinosis increases with age and has been reported to affect about 1 in 10 people.

See also the leaflet on Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (Pseudogout). CPPD is similar to gout, which is caused by excessive levels of uric acid in the body.

Chondrocalcinosis symptoms

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Normally, chondrocalcinosis itself does not cause any discomfort or any problem with joint function, and is only diagnosed by an X-ray. The symptoms therefore depend on the underlying cause of chondrocalcinosis, such as:

  • Joint pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.

  • In pseudogout, the affected joint (especially the wrist, knee or ankle) becomes swollen and stiff. A fever might develop.

  • Symptoms associated with acute attacks of rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint stiffness, swelling and pain, affecting joints on both sides of the body.

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Causes of chondrocalcinosis

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Injuries that deteriorate the joint cartilage, such as different types of arthritis or repetitive injury can lead to excess deposits of calcium crystals in the joint. Older people are more at risk.

Other causes can be a lack of body magnesium or excess calcium or iron. The disease can also be related to many other disorders, such as hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia), low phosphate (hypophosphatasia), Wilson's disease and haemochromatosis.

Diagnosing chondrocalcinosis

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Chondrocalcinosis can be seen with an X-ray CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or nuclear medicine scan. Other investigations will be needed to find out the underlying cause of the chondrocalcinosis, such as blood tests or taking a sample of the synovial fluid from the affected joint (intra articularly) to look for any possible underlying cause of the chondrocalcinosis.

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Chondrocalcinosis treatment

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If the chondrocalcinosis is related to an underlying condition, the underlying condition must be treated first. Treatment will also be needed to manage symptoms associated with the underlying cause, such as treatment to reduce pain and stiffness of an affected joint with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Some measures to prevent joint wear and tear can help to reduce calcium deposits in the cartilage. Regular moderate exercise to increase muscle strength and maintaining a healthy weight can help.

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Calcium pyrophosphate deposition

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Calcium pyrophosphate deposition

Calcium pyrophosphate is a substance produced in the cartilages of the joints. It can become deposited as crystals on joint tissues. This is called calcium pyrophosphate deposition. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition can cause a number of problems of which the most well known is pseudogout. This is almost identical to gout, causing attacks of pain and swelling in one or more joints. Some people develop damage to the joint, causing a type of long-term arthritis. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition may cause no symptoms and is sometimes picked up on an X-ray done for an unrelated condition. Unlike gout, there is no special treatment for pseudogout. Rest, ice packs and anti-inflammatory medicines are the main forms of treatment.

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Frequently asked questions

Can children get chondrocalcinosis?

The article states that chondrocalcinosis increases with age and affects about 1 in 10 people. It also notes that older people are more at risk for the condition. This suggests it is a condition primarily associated with older individuals, but it doesn't explicitly state whether children can or cannot develop it.

Is chondrocalcinosis hereditary?

The article does not mention whether chondrocalcinosis can be inherited or if there is a genetic component to its development.

What is the difference between chondrocalcinosis and gout?

The article mentions that CPPD (pseudogout) is similar to gout, noting that gout is caused by excessive levels of uric acid in the body. While chondrocalcinosis is a more general term for calcium deposits, and CPPD is a specific condition causing these deposits, the exact differences beyond the cause (calcium vs. uric acid crystals) are not detailed.

Does chondrocalcinosis always lead to symptoms?

Normally, chondrocalcinosis itself does not cause any discomfort or any problem with joint function. It is often only diagnosed by an X-ray. Any symptoms experienced are dependent on the underlying cause of the chondrocalcinosis, such as osteoarthritis or pseudogout.

Can diet help prevent chondrocalcinosis?

The article mentions that a lack of body magnesium or excess calcium or iron can be causes. It also states that maintaining a healthy weight and regular moderate exercise can help reduce joint wear and tear, which in turn might help reduce calcium deposits. However, it does not specifically detail dietary changes beyond this to prevent the condition.

These questions and answers have been generated from the information in this article.

Further reading and references

  • Zamora EA, Naik R; Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease.
  • Moret CS, Iordache E, D'Ambrosi R, et al; Chondrocalcinosis does not affect functional outcome and prosthesis survival in patients after total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a systematic review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2022 Mar;30(3):1039-1049. doi: 10.1007/s00167-021-06519-6. Epub 2021 Mar 6.
  • Karimzadeh H, Sirous M, Sadati SN, et al; Prevalence of Chondrocalcinosis in Patients above 50 Years and the Relationship with Osteoarthritis. Adv Biomed Res. 2017 Jul 31;6:98. doi: 10.4103/2277-9175.211835. eCollection 2017.
  • Abhishek A, Doherty S, Maciewicz R, et al; Chondrocalcinosis is common in the absence of knee involvement. Arthritis Res Ther. 2012 Oct 4;14(5):R205. doi: 10.1186/ar4043.

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About the authorView full bio

Author image

Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

General Practitioner, Medical Author

MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH

Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.

About the reviewerView full bio

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Dr Krishna Vakharia, MRCGP

Chief Medical Officer for Health, Optum UK

MBChB, MRCGP(2013), BMedSci (hons), DFSRH, DRCOG, PGDipDerm (Distn)

Dr Krishna Vakharia is an NHS GP. She is also a regular examiner for the postgraduate Diploma in Practical Dermatology at Cardiff University as well as being the Chief Medical Officer for health at Optum UK.

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

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