Initial treatment of suspected or confirmed acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal arthritis

NSAIDs: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

* Supportive care includes ice, rest, and analgesic medications. Refer to UpToDate content on treatment of CPPD disease.

¶ Findings may include fever, rash, and associated foci of infection. Refer to UpToDate content on septic arthritis in adults for further details on the evaluation of septic arthritis.

Δ Refer to UpToDate content on treatment of CPPD disease for dosing of antiinflammatory agents.

◊ Joint should be thoroughally drained. Glucocorticoid dosing depends on size of joint. If provider with expertise to perform arthrocentesis is not available, we use systemic antiinflammatory therapy. Refer to UpToDate content on treatment of CPPD disease for more detail.

§ Treatment selection should include assessment of risks of individual therapies, history of treatment response in prior flares, and time from symptom onset to treatment. Refer to UpToDate content on treatment of CPPD disease for dosing of antiinflammatory agents.