ARTHROPATHY OF HEMOCHROMATOSIS

ARTHROPATHY OF HEMOCHROMATOSIS
"Hook like osteophytes" are regarded as a characteristic feature of arthropathy of hemochromatosis.

Arthropathy occurs in 20–40% of patients with hemochromatosis

It usually begins after the age of 50 and may be the first clinical feature of hemochromatosis.

The arthropathy is an osteoarthritis-like disorder affecting the small joints of the hands and later the larger joints, such as knees, ankles, shoulders, and hips.

The second and third metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands are often the first and most prominent joints affected

Hooklike osteophytes are regarded as a characteristic feature of hemochromatosis but are not specific

In approximately half of patients, there is evidence of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, and some patients late in the course of disease experience episodes of acute pseudogout