Final answer:
The knee joint is the most commonly affected joint in pseudogout, a condition characterized by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals, leading to painful swelling and inflammation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The joint most commonly affected in pseudogout is the knee joint. Pseudogout, which is similar to gout, results from the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals, rather than uric acid crystals. This condition leads to painful swelling and inflammation in the affected joints. While gouty arthritis often affects the metacarpal phalangeal joints, metatarsal phalangeal joints, and the big toe, pseudogout typically targets the knee. Other joints such as the wrists, shoulders, and hips can also be affected but with less frequency than the knee. Just like gout, pseudogout attacks may be sudden and can be very painful.
Options for treating pseudogout include anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, or in some cases, joint aspiration to remove the crystals and reduce inflammation. Pseudogout is often diagnosed by detecting the specific crystals in the joint fluid or by characteristic changes on X-ray. It's important to differentiate between gout and pseudogout because their treatment may vary and the underlying causes for crystal deposition are different.