Chondrocalcinosis in elderly persons.

Fifty-eight elderly people were surveyed for chondrocalcinosis with knee, hip and pelvic roentgenograms using Type M industrial x-ray film. Chondrocalcinosis was found in 16 subjects (27.6%), an incidence greater than reported in previous studies. Roentgenograms of the knees alone showed the presence of chondrocalcinosis in 15 subjects. Varus deformity of the knees, increased wrist complaints and wrist involvement with clinical arthritis were significantly more common in subjects with chondrocalcinosis. Symptoms associated with acute inflammatory arthritis were not more common in people with chondrocalcinosis.