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By Mayo Clinic staffPseudogout treatment aims to reduce your pain and swelling. No treatments can rid your joints of the CPPD crystals that lead to pseudogout.
Treatments to relieve the pain and inflammation of pseudogout include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) and indomethacin (Indocin). NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding and decreased kidney function, especially in older adults, so discuss these risks with your doctor.
- Colchicine. This medication reduces inflammation in people with gout, but it may also be useful in people with pseudogout who can't take NSAIDs. Side effects include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. In rare cases, bleeding can occur.
- Joint aspiration and injection. To relieve pain and pressure in an affected joint, your doctor inserts a needle and removes some of the joint fluid. Then he or she injects a corticosteroid to decrease inflammation and an anesthetic to temporarily numb your joint.
- Rest. Keeping your affected joints still in addition to taking medications may relieve pain and swelling. Your doctor may recommend limiting your activity for a short time.
If your pseudogout is caused by joint trauma or a disease such as hemochromatosis, you may find relief when those conditions are treated first.