Pseudogout in the early postoperative period after total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

Postoperative pseudogout after total knee arthroplasty is rare. If pseudogout attacks are misdiagnosed as periprosthetic sepsis, patients may undergo unnecessary surgical procedures. We report a case of pseudogout in the early postoperative period. The attack ensued shortly after a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug was discontinued. The diagnosis was confirmed by aspiration, and the patient improved after readministration of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug. Although rare, pseudogout should be considered in the differential when approaching a suspected infection after total knee arthroplasty.