Crystal Arthropathy

Overview

Crystal arthropathies are a diverse group of disorders characterized by deposition of various minerals in joints and soft tissues leading to inflammation. Four main types of crystal arthropathies:

• Gout: The most common of all the crystal arthropathies, caused by monosodium urate crystal precipitation, and its prevalence appears to be increasing.
• Pseudogout: caused by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate
• Basic Calcium Phosphate (BCP) Crystal Disease
• Hydroxyapatite crystal deposition disease