Crystal arthropathy

Crystal arthropathies are a group of joint disorders due to deposition of crystals in and around joints which lead to joint destruction and soft tissue masses.

Pathology

The most common arthropathies are:

Other less common crystals are :

  • calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite in generalized peritendinitis, osteoarthritis and erosive arthropathies
  • calcium oxalate aluminum phosphate deposited in end stage renal failure patients on dialysis, short gut syndrome and primary oxalosis
  • cholesterol deposited in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
  • xanthine 
  • cysteine
  • lysophospholipase (Charcot-Leyden)