Pseudogout often mimics many other conditions and diseases. Its signs and symptoms are typically consistent with different types of arthritic pain.

The main indicator of a pseudogout attack is usually sharp knee, wrist, shoulder or hip pain, or pain in other major joints. It usually affects only one joint or a few joints at a time. The affected area may be sensitive to touch, swollen or stiff. The pain may last for several days before disappearing and then reappearing in a different joint. Some patients may experience persistent aches or stiffness in joints of the legs and arms between attacks, which are often confused with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

An abnormally high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) may occur in reaction to attacks of pseudogout inflammation. However, some people with crystal deposits in joints never experience any pain or other symptoms at all.

Other minor symptoms might also occur during a pseudogout attack, including:

• Low-grade fever
• Skin discoloration
• Swollen joints