[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Conditions](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/) › Pseudogout (CPPD) of the Knee

[Conditions](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/) · [Knee](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/)

# Pseudogout (CPPD) of the Knee

Pseudogout of the knee is joint inflammation caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals; the knee is the joint it affects most often.

Updated 2026-10-23

## Structures involved

Tap one to see what it is and open it in 3D.

- [Joint capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-capsule-of-knee-joint/)
- [Femoral cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-femur/)
- [Tibial cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-tibial-plateau/)

## In the clinical exam

- [Knee effusion: patellar tap and bulge sign](https://durgical.com/en/clinical-exam/knee-effusion-patellar-tap-and-bulge-sign/)

## Why it happens

- [Pathologic calcification: dystrophic vs metastatic](https://durgical.com/en/general-pathology/pathologic-calcification-dystrophic-vs-metastatic/)
- [Cartilage: hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage](https://durgical.com/en/histology/cartilage-hyaline-elastic-fibrocartilage/)
- [Synovial joints: capsule, synovial membrane and articular cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/histology/synovial-joints-capsule-synovial-membrane-and-articular-cartilage/)

## What it is

Calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. The knee is its most common joint.

## Symptoms and signs

- Acute monoarthritis similar to gout
- May be chronic

## Diagnosis

**Clinical**
Acute monoarthritis

**Tests**
Joint fluid showing positively birefringent rhomboid crystals

**Imaging**
Chondrocalcinosis on X-ray

## Treatment

**Acute**
Anti-inflammatory treatment.

## Related conditions

- [Gout](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gout/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pseudogout-of-the-knee/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pseudogout-of-the-knee/