[Crystal-associated destructive arthropathy of the shoulder]

Crystal-associated destructive arthropathy of the shoulder is most commonly observed in elderly women. Functional impairment and social impact define its importance especially in this group. Clinical features include pain at rest and on use, large cool effusion and instability. Radiographs show attrition of bone and cartilage with a paucity of reparative changes. Synovial fluids are viscous, with low cell counts, and stain positively for the presence of apatite-containing particles and often also for calcium-pyrophosphate crystals.