Study: Calcium Crystals Help in Decisions on Care of Replacement Joints

The presence of calcium crystals in synovial fluid taken from the joints of osteoarthritis patients could be helpful in making decisions related to the care of replacement joints, according to researchers.

A recent study at the Medical College of Wisconsin of 53 patients with degenerative arthritis who underwent total knee arthroplasty found calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in the synovial fluid of about 60 percent of the patients.

These calcium crystals cause pseudogout, gout-like attacks characterized by acute localized pain and swelling.

Identifying the crystals provides information that "may be relevant to the future care of the patient's replaced joint and that of other joints," the researchers reported in the Journal of Rheumatology. "This information could also potentially aid in predicting the likelihood of the need for contralateral total knee arthroplasty."

Other sources: Arthritis Foundation