Crystal arthropathy M10; M14;

Crystal arthropathy (Greek arthron "joint", pathos "suffering") is a joint disease in which crystalline end products of metabolism are deposited in the joint cavity. These crystal deposits can lead to aseptic inflammation with overheating, swelling, redness and restricted movement of the affected joint. In the long term, joint destruction is possible.

The crystal arthropathies include:

• Gout: Deposition of uric acid crystals
• Chondrocalcinosis: Deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals (pyrophosphate gout, pseudogout)
• Hydroxyapatite deposition disease (e.g. tendinitis calcarea): deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals
• Hemochromatosis (iron storage disease)
• Ochronotic arthropathy: Deposition of homogentisic acid crystals
• Oxalotic arthropathy with long-term dialysis

A well-known crystal arthropathy is gout, in which needle-shaped uric acid crystals accumulate in tissue and joints due to high concentrations of uric acid in the blood. A puncture of the joint and examination of the synovial fluid (synovia) provides information about the type and quantity of crystals.

A change in diet and conservative therapies are often sufficient to treat crystal arthropathy.

1. Fazel M et al. (2018) Inflammatory arthritis and crystal arthropathy: Current concepts of skin and systemic manifestations. Clin Dermatol 36:533-550.
2. Kuo CF et al. (2015) Rising burden of gout in the UK but continuing suboptimal management: a nationwide population study. Ann Rheum Dis 74: 661-667.
3. Poole H et al. (2023) Axial crystal arthropathy mimicking facet joint septic arthritis with epidural abscess. Med J Aust 218:301-303.