Psoriatic arthritis is a type of joint condition associated with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition characterized by red rashes with silver patches. According to Medline Plus, one out of every 20 people in the United States with psoriasis will also suffer from psoriatic arthritis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include stiffness, swelling and joint pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, this joint pain can be distributed anywhere in your body from your finger joints to your spine.
Cause
Medline Plus states that the cause for psoriatic arthritis is unclear, although genetics may play a contributing role.
Complications
Dactylis (swollen toes and fingers), ethesopathy (pain on the soles of your feet or back of your heel) and spondylitis (inflammation of your spine and pelvic joints) are complications of psoriatic arthritis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will perform a thorough physical exam to determine whether you have psoriatic arthritis. A joint X-ray can also be obtained to visualize your joints and confirm the diagnosis, according to Medline Plus.
Treatment
Treatment for psoriatic arthritis includes medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, immunosupressant medications and TNF-alpha inhibitors. All these medications work to decrease symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Surgery is another available option, although it is rarely used.
