Crystal arthropathy: associations of CPPD: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Crystal arthropathy: associations of CPPD

Sample item

A 44-year-old has knee chondrocalcinosis on radiographs and mild diabetes with skin pigmentation. Which underlying disease should be sought?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Haemochromatosis

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition at a young age should prompt a search for metabolic causes such as haemochromatosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypomagnesaemia and hypophosphatasia. Haemochromatosis explains diabetes and bronze pigmentation. It also produces arthropathy of the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints.

Option by option

  • A. Haemochromatosis (correct)

    Correct. Haemochromatosis is a classical cause of early chondrocalcinosis.

  • B. Coeliac disease

    Coeliac disease is not a recognised cause of chondrocalcinosis.

  • C. Vitamin C deficiency

    Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy and not crystal deposition.

  • D. Hyperthyroidism

    Hyperthyroidism is not a typical association.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Haemochromatosis. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition at a young age should prompt a search for metabolic causes such as haemochromatosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypomagnesaemia and hypophosphatasia.

Why is "Coeliac disease" not the answer?

Coeliac disease is not a recognised cause of chondrocalcinosis.

Why is "Vitamin C deficiency" not the answer?

Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy and not crystal deposition.

Why is "Hyperthyroidism" not the answer?

Hyperthyroidism is not a typical association.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Crystal arthropathy: associations of CPPD in Orthopaedics. Haemochromatosis explains diabetes and bronze pigmentation. It also produces arthropathy of the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Crystal arthropathy: associations of CPPD?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.