Hereditary chondrocalcinosis in an Ashkenazi Jewish family.

A hereditary chondrocalcinosis is described for the first time in an Ashkenazi Jewish kindred. Of 34 family members in five generations, seven had medical history suggesting the disease. Five of 25 members of generations III-V had direct evidence for their disease. Characteristically, symptoms started at a fairly early age (third decade) while radiological evidence of chondrocalcinosis was delayed to the fourth decade. Joints commonly affected were knees, wrists, and elbows. The course was chronic with acute, exercise induced exacerbations.